salient differences

USAGE SUMMARY

"salient differences" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to noticeable or significant distinctions between two things or concepts. Example: The two paintings may seem similar at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their salient differences become apparent.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fig. 3 A coronal plane through the RL and liver illustrating salient differences between the four different VBDM: MC (a), LD (b), SK (c), SKD (d).

EJNMMI Physics

Our framework has also revealed salient differences in the communication of uncertainty in the different countries' NAS, reinforcing the call for a much needed more systematic communication of uncertainty (Biesbroek et al. 2010; Lourenço et al. 2009).

Climatic Change

ARCHIE AND SINK Men raised from infancy with horses could identify salient differences with a glance, but some had a keener talent for understanding equine temperament than others.

The New Yorker

Boys can now have dolls, and girls Erector sets; we agree that the salient differences between genders are social constructs, and give little leeway to those who insinuate that, say, women have less aptitude for science and engineering.

The New Yorker

There are two salient differences between them: Obama's plan is significantly more detailed than Clinton's, and Obama's plan is a reasonable approach to the problem, while Clinton's is quite possibly the worst proposal any major presidential candidate has made in decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are, in fact, some salient differences (e.g., that American and US Airways share many routes and control most of the slots at Ronald Reagan National Airport seemed unduly anti-competitive to the lawyers seeking to enjoin the merger), but at the end of the day, the two airlines' biggest problem is that they're late to the party.

The New York Times

Needham (2008) has recently challenged this identification by pointing to chemically salient differences among the isotopes.

SEP

According to Simcoe [38]: "IETF and W3C have many similar features and a few salient differences".

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Sometimes I struggle to find the salient differences between one pair and another, especially are both good, as in the case of Logitech's G35 and the Razer Megalodon.

TechCrunch

Both fixed and mobile services can enable access to information, entertainment, and employment options, but there are salient differences between the two.

TechCrunch

This section sets out some conceivability arguments offered in the literature with some limited remarks about their salient differences.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "salient differences", ensure you follow up by specifying what those differences are. The phrase introduces the expectation of further detail.

Common error

Avoid stating that there are "salient differences" without providing specific examples or explanations of what those differences entail. This leaves the reader without a clear understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "salient differences" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "salient" acts as an adjective modifying "differences". Ludwig examples showcase its role in introducing notable distinctions between various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "salient differences" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves to highlight notable distinctions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently employed across scientific, news, and formal business contexts. To ensure effective communication, it's best practice to provide specific details about these differences. While alternatives like "key distinctions" or "major contrasts" exist, "salient differences" remains a clear and concise choice for emphasizing important distinctions. Using this construction without substantiating it with details should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key distinctions

Focuses on the most important distinctions.

major contrasts

Emphasizes significant points of divergence.

notable variations

Highlights differences that are worth noting.

significant disparities

Stresses inequalities or imbalances.

primary differentiators

Identifies the main factors that set things apart.

distinct features

Highlights characteristics that create a clear distinction.

remarkable contrasts

Emphasizes the striking nature of the differences.

principal divergences

Points out the main areas where things deviate.

critical distinctions

Highlights the importance of the differences.

obvious dissimilarities

Focuses on differences that are easily seen.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "salient differences" in a sentence?

Use "salient differences" to introduce the most important or noticeable distinctions between two or more subjects. Follow up with specific examples to clarify these differences.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "salient differences"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "key distinctions", "major contrasts", or "notable variations".

Is it redundant to say "very salient differences"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "very" to modify "salient" can be redundant since "salient" already implies prominence. It's generally better to let "salient differences" stand alone or rephrase to emphasize the magnitude of the difference.

What's the difference between "salient differences" and "significant differences"?

"Salient differences" emphasizes the noteworthiness or obviousness of the distinctions, while "significant differences" emphasizes the importance or impact of the distinctions. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight visibility or consequence.