sharp difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharp difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant or extreme difference between two things. For example, "The sharp difference in their opinions was surprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

The Guardian - Tech

The New York Times

Independent

The New York Times - Sports

Journal of Hydrology

The Guardian - Opinion

The New York Times - Health

Agricultural Systems

The Economist

Journal of Functional Analysis

The New Yorker

Columbia University

Proceedings from the International Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology

Cryogenics

The Guardian - Money

Triple Helix

Plosone

Amino Acids

BMC Genomics

Annals of Botany

Environmental Health Perspectives

Breast Cancer Research

International Aquatic Research

Journal of Cheminformatics

Huffington Post

Forbes

City, Territory and Architecture

Vice

Wikipedia

SEP

Huffington Post

Environmental Health Perspectives

Huffington Post

Plosone

Amino Acids

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the term implies, the process seeks to even out or correct the sharp difference in permeabilities that exist in the different formation layers, creating a homogeneous reservoir.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

He noted a sharp difference between the two options.

The Guardian - Tech

But there is a sharp difference in the situations.

The New York Times

So why the the sharp difference in costs?

Independent

But a sharp difference is how the two perform in turbulent markets.

The New York Times

Warthen analyzed videotape of Green and noticed a sharp difference in his form.

The New York Times - Sports

Did Gore succeed in showing sharp difference between policies, so necessary to getting out his vote?

The New York Times

There was a sharp difference between changes in rainfalls in 1931 1960 and 1961 1990 periods.

Journal of Hydrology

Optimism about Iran's future prospects will also make a sharp difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a sharp difference between Chinese students and international students.

The New York Times

A sharp difference between farmers and the model concerned the beginning of the irrigation period.

Agricultural Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "sharp difference", ensure that the context clearly identifies the two items being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sharp difference" when the difference is subtle or minor. This phrase is best reserved for significant and easily noticeable distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp difference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically describes a notable distinction between two or more entities, qualities, or perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharp difference" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively highlights a clear and noticeable distinction between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its use spans various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing, making it a versatile expression for emphasizing significant dissimilarities. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, reserving it for substantial distinctions will prevent overstatement and increase the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct contrast

Emphasizes the clear and noticeable difference between two things.

marked distinction

Highlights a prominent and easily identifiable difference.

clear divergence

Focuses on the point where two things start to deviate significantly.

significant disparity

Indicates a considerable difference, especially in quantity or quality.

noticeable variation

Suggests that the difference is easily observed or perceived.

pronounced contrast

Highlights the obvious and easily perceived nature of the dissimilarity.

major discrepancy

Implies a significant inconsistency or disagreement.

evident gap

Focuses on the clear and obvious space or difference between two things.

stark contrast

Emphasizes an extreme and often shocking difference.

radical departure

Suggests a complete and fundamental change or difference.

FAQs

How can I use "sharp difference" in a sentence?

You can use "sharp difference" to highlight a significant distinction between two things. For example, "There is a sharp difference between the two candidates' policy platforms."

What are some alternatives to saying "sharp difference"?

Alternatives to "sharp difference" include "distinct contrast", "marked distinction", or "significant disparity", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sharp difference" or "significant difference"?

"Sharp difference" implies a more extreme and easily noticeable distinction than "significant difference". The choice depends on the magnitude of the dissimilarity you want to convey.

What's the nuance between "sharp difference" and "stark contrast"?

"Stark contrast" emphasizes a more extreme and often shocking difference, while "sharp difference" simply highlights a clear and noticeable distinction. Thus, "stark contrast" is more dramatic in its connotation.