minimise the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimise the difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to reduce disparities or variations in a particular context, such as in research, business, or personal development. Example: "Our goal is to minimise the difference in performance between the two teams to ensure a fair competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It appeared diverted by trying to minimise the difference between its near-term deficit and the Coalition's, as if it doubted its own ability to argue the case against the inevitable charge that Labor posed a risk to the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Standard backpropagation (BP) algorithm is used as a learning algorithm for this network to minimise the difference between the robot actual response and that predicted by the neural network.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

It utilised the hydraulic system of the four-point linkage of the slurry tanker to change the position of the injector with respect to the tanker in order to minimise the difference between the desired height of the supporting frame of the injector and the height measured by means of an ultrasonic sensor.

Biosystems Engineering

The objective function was to minimise the difference between the simulated and observed bus travel times.

Journal of Modern Transportation

An optimisation algorithm was run to minimise the difference between model outputs and the data based on Eq. (1), until a predefined termination criterion was reached.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Global optimisation algorithms can then be used to find model parameter values that minimise the value of E T, i.e. minimise the difference between the model outputs and the data.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The typical calibration method is to minimise the differences between the observed data and simulation output during a certain time period on a typical day.

Journal of Modern Transportation

The weights assigned to each control unit are chosen to minimise the differences in pre-treatment trends and other predictors between the treated unit and the synthetic control group.

SERIEs

Using this parameterisation of the anomaly, we proceed as before and adjust the set of parameters to minimise the differences between the ASM readings and the strength of the magnetic field observed by the VFM instruments through a least-squares fit.

Earth, Planets and Space

Initial estimates of the model parameters were then subsequently adjusted with the Solver function in Excel to minimise the differences between the modelled (predicted) and observed data.

British Journal of Nutrition

In order to overcome such limitations, the measurement of fluoride concentration in each food was repeated in this study, in an attempt to minimise the differences.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimise the difference", clearly specify what two or more elements you are comparing and aiming to reduce the disparity between. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying complete elimination of the difference when the context suggests only a partial reduction. Instead of "We minimised the difference", consider "We aimed to minimise the difference" to accurately reflect the effort and potential outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimise the difference" functions as a purpose clause, often introducing an action intended to reduce a disparity between two or more things. Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minimise the difference" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys the intention to reduce a disparity or gap. As shown by Ludwig, its presence is mostly in science, followed by news and media. Though categorized as "Correct" by Ludwig AI, it's important to contextualize its usage by specifying the items being compared and avoiding overstatements about complete elimination. Alternatives like "reduce the disparity" or "lessen the gap" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the disparity

Focuses on reducing inequality or imbalance.

lessen the gap

Emphasizes making the space or interval smaller.

narrow the divide

Highlights reducing a separation or disagreement.

decrease the discrepancy

Concentrates on lowering inconsistencies or variations.

alleviate the variation

Implies easing or mitigating differences.

mitigate the contrast

Focuses on softening or reducing the strength of opposing elements.

bridge the gulf

Highlights connecting or filling a large gap.

close the breach

Implies fixing a gap or violation.

reconcile the inconsistency

Highlights bringing agreement between conflicting elements.

harmonize the variance

Focuses on creating a balanced or agreeable difference.

FAQs

How can I use "minimise the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "minimise the difference" to describe actions taken to reduce disparities or variations. For example, "The company implemented new policies to "minimise the difference" in pay between genders".

What are some alternatives to saying "minimise the difference"?

Alternatives include "reduce the disparity", "lessen the gap", or "narrow the divide". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "minimise" or "minimize" in the phrase "minimise the difference"?

"Minimise" is the British English spelling, while "minimize" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with your target audience or style guide. Both are correct, but consistency is key.

What's the difference between "minimise the difference" and "eliminate the difference"?

"Minimise the difference" implies reducing a disparity, while "eliminate the difference" suggests completely removing it. The choice depends on whether the goal is reduction or complete removal.