stand in sharp contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'stand in sharp contrast' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a strong contrast between two entities. For example, "The senator's progressive views stood in sharp contrast to his colleagues' conservative positions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Free-standing or carved-out SMS programs stand in sharp contrast to these recent developments and raise concerns about the pitfalls of fragmented care, especially for high risk patients with diabetes.

Diabetes Care

Chinese strategic successes stand in sharp contrast to U.S. failures.

The New York Times

The Bad Girls stand in sharp contrast to such long-ago legends as Georgia O'Keeffe, art's leading good girl.

The New York Times - Magazine

The study's findings stand in sharp contrast to the tough talk coming out of the I.R.S. in recent years.

The New York Times

The two flood-weary residents stand in sharp contrast with Stephen Fybish, who lives on the Upper West Side.

The New York Times

The mayor's efforts to buttress the party stand in sharp contrast to his message as he traveled the country flirting with a presidential bid during the past year.

The New York Times

The redroofed houses and tidy streets and lawns of the Israeli communities stand in sharp contrast to the Palestinian refugee camps and towns nearby.

The New York Times

It is perceived to reflect Canadian values and these are seen to stand in sharp contrast to the values of our American neighbors".

The New York Times

The president's elegant robes, capped with a grey karakul hat, stand in sharp contrast to Mr. Bashardost's schoolboy image: his campaign posters show him cradling stacks of notebooks.

The New York Times

Their jurisdictions largely include rural areas, and stand in sharp contrast to those of urban police chiefs, who have historically supported tougher gun regulations.

The New York Times

His stiffly mechanical moves stand in sharp contrast to the fact that he appears to be at the peak of physical conditioning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stand in sharp contrast", ensure that the two elements being compared are clearly defined to highlight the contrast effectively.

Common error

Ensure you're not just stating a contrast exists, but also clarifying what aspects of the compared subjects "stand in sharp contrast". Specificity strengthens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand in sharp contrast" functions as a comparative expression, emphasizing the significant difference between two distinct entities. This phrase is used to highlight differences that are easily noticeable, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stand in sharp contrast" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize significant differences between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, most notably in news and media, as well as in scientific and academic discourse. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "differ markedly" or "contrast significantly", this expression's directness makes it a robust choice for illustrating disparities. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the differing elements and avoiding vague comparisons. This ensures the intended contrast is effectively communicated to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ markedly

Focuses on a significant degree of difference.

contrast significantly

Highlights the substantial difference between two things.

present a striking disparity

Emphasizes the noticeable and impressive difference.

are distinctly different

Indicates a clear and easily recognizable difference.

offer a notable divergence

Stresses the point at which things begin to separate or differ.

form a stark opposition

Emphasizes a severe and uncompromising contrast.

show a conspicuous variance

Highlights a noticeable and obvious difference.

diverge considerably

Implies a substantial deviation or difference.

bear little resemblance

Indicates a lack of similarity or likeness.

differ in a pronounced manner

Emphasizes that the difference is very noticeable or obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "stand in sharp contrast" in a sentence?

Use "stand in sharp contrast" to highlight a significant difference between two things. For example, "His behavior "stood in sharp contrast" to his brother's."

What's a formal alternative to "stand in sharp contrast"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "differ markedly", or "contrast significantly".

How does "stand in sharp contrast" differ from "stand in stark contrast"?

While both phrases indicate a strong difference, "stand in stark contrast" emphasizes a more severe, almost shocking, level of opposition, while "stand in sharp contrast" simply denotes a clear and distinct difference.

What words often accompany "stand in sharp contrast" to clarify the comparison?

Words like "to", "with", and "against" are commonly used after "stand in sharp contrast" to specify what the subject is being compared to, such as "The old building "stood in sharp contrast" to the modern skyscrapers."