sense of difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sense of difference' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a feeling of distinctness or a feeling of being unique. For example, "Sally felt a sense of difference when she went to school wearing her homemade clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"We need to create a sense of difference about each island and convey that each delivers a different experience," he added.

The New York Times

That sense of difference runs deeper.

The Guardian

They also showed how arbitrary our sense of difference is.

The Guardian

But, oddly enough, that sense of difference also extends to their individual personalities.

The Guardian - Music

Behold the birth of the perfect narrator, a boy whose sense of difference and precociousness is assured from the beginning.

The New York Times - Books

I remember at school feeling this sense of difference, of otherness, that I think most gay people feel.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But then they reach the Main Quad, and the sense of the known is touched with a sense of difference--a reorientation of the Duke they remember, a change at whose heart sits Perkins Library.

Duke University

I demonstrate that a bare semantics for such predicates, taking English deverbal psych adjectives as exemplary, makes no such commitments, and argue that we instead should make sense of differences in truth judgments regarding such predicates as rooted in metasemantic variation among the speaker population as to which properties such predicates denote.

University of Chicago

This study demonstrates that mothers with more than one child have a strong sense of differences in the way the children respond to food, which they attribute largely to genetics.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Thus, it is difficult to judge whether the differences we found are truly due to cultural differences in the sense of differences in values and shared beliefs of a group, or rather due to a difference in terms of a migration experience.

BMC Pediatrics

Scholars argue that lower-income undergraduates' transition from segregated, distressed communities to college fosters heightened senses of difference and alienation in college.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of difference" when you want to convey a nuanced understanding of how someone perceives their own distinctiveness or the distinctiveness of a group.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of difference" in situations where everyone is essentially the same. The phrase is most effective when highlighting genuine distinctions or disparities rather than imagined ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of difference" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a subjective feeling or awareness of being distinct or unique, often in comparison to others or a perceived norm. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of difference" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that conveys a feeling of distinctiveness or uniqueness. Ludwig AI analysis and examples reveal its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, academia, and formal settings. While grammatically straightforward, the phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to articulate nuanced subjective experiences of individuality and divergence. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context genuinely reflects a feeling of being different rather than an assumption or generalization. Exploring alternatives such as "feeling of otherness" or "awareness of distinctiveness" can help refine your expression to precisely capture the intended meaning. Overall, "sense of difference" remains a valuable tool for expressing complex feelings related to identity and individuality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of otherness

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being distinct or separate from others.

awareness of distinctiveness

This alternative highlights the conscious recognition of being different.

perception of uniqueness

This alternative focuses on the individual's view of being unique or special.

consciousness of divergence

This alternative suggests a realization of differing paths or directions.

recognition of disparity

This alternative emphasizes the acknowledgment of inequalities or variations.

understanding of individuality

This alternative focuses on comprehending one's own unique qualities.

appreciation of singularity

This alternative highlights the valuing of being unique or one-of-a-kind.

impression of separateness

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being detached or not belonging.

experience of dissimilarity

This alternative focuses on the lived experience of not being the same.

realization of nonconformity

This alternative highlights the awareness of not fitting into established norms.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "sense of difference" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of difference" to describe a feeling of being distinct or unique. For example, "She had a strong "sense of difference" growing up in a rural community".

What's a good alternative to "sense of difference"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "feeling of otherness", "awareness of distinctiveness", or "perception of uniqueness".

Is "sense of difference" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sense of difference" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "sense of difference"?

It is appropriate when discussing feelings of being unique, distinct, or not conforming to the norm. It can also be used to describe how groups perceive their distinct identity.