talking the difference between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talking the difference between" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing and should be restructured for clarity. Example: "We are talking about the difference between two approaches to problem-solving."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's not just an anti-establishment bias talking; the difference between pre-loaded 'cigalikes' sold by Lorillard (the Blu e-cig) or Reynolds tobacco (the Vuse e-cig) and the customizable DIY mods beloved by the vape community is like the difference between instant coffee and responsibly sourced beans hand-ground and brewed with a high-end filter by a loving if pretentious barista.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You're talking about more kids with birth defects.... You're talking about the difference between life and death".

Los Angeles Times

Talking about art, we talked about the difference between art therapy and art instruction; how painting can sometimes reawaken memories.

Huffington Post

They spent ten minutes talking about the difference between Iceland and Greenland.

The New Yorker

"You're talking about the difference between seeing the little tile and seeing a mosaic," he said.

The New York Times

When analysts refer to the Democrat's 2.5 percentage point lead, they are talking about the difference between those two figures in polling averages.

The Guardian

"We're talking about the difference between being a hit and being a super mega-hit," said Richard Frankel, another producer of the musical.

The New York Times

"One night, we went to dinner," Michaels said, "and Ken was talking about the difference between the N.H.L. and international hockey.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're talking about the difference between buying a ticket and going to New York or not being able to buy a ticket or qualify for a visa".

The New York Times - Sports

"If you're talking about the difference between $18,000 a year or $30,000 a year, that's the difference between being able to support yourself by playwriting — or not," Ms. Ruhl said.

The New York Times

Malpass: And remember what we're talking about, the difference between cash flow and the following entries.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to discuss a distinction, use the correct phrase: "talking about the difference between". This ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to omit "about" after "talking" when discussing differences. Saying "talking the difference" is grammatically incorrect; always use "talking about the difference" for proper syntax.

Linguistic Context

Incorrect Phrase. The phrase "talking the difference between" does not adhere to standard English grammar rules. The correct form is "talking about the difference between". As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase requires restructuring for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "talking the difference between" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "talking about the difference between". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this phrase needs to be restructured to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the intended purpose is to discuss or highlight distinctions, the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. The primary context of use is in news and media, although its rarity suggests avoiding it in formal writing. Remember to include "about" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussing the distinction between

Replaces "talking" with the more formal "discussing" and "difference" with "distinction", maintaining a similar meaning but in a more elevated register.

explaining the variance between

Emphasizes the act of clarifying the "variance", making it suitable when highlighting statistical or measurable differences.

outlining the contrast between

Highlights the act of delineating the "contrast", useful when emphasizing opposing or dissimilar qualities.

detailing the comparison between

Focuses on a thorough examination of similarities and differences through "comparison", suitable for analytical contexts.

addressing the divergence between

Emphasizes the separation or deviation ("divergence") between two things, suitable when discussing evolving or separating concepts.

elucidating the dissimilarity between

Uses "elucidating" to stress clarification of the lack of similarity, offering a formal and explanatory tone.

analyzing the gap between

Focuses on the space or interval ("gap") that separates two things, emphasizing distance or disparity.

considering the disparity between

Highlights the inequality or imbalance ("disparity") between two elements, suitable for discussions of fairness or proportion.

examining the demarcation between

Stresses the boundary or division line ("demarcation") between two things, useful for legal or definitional contexts.

specifying the deviation between

Focuses on pinpointing the act of straying or digressing ("deviation") from an established course, standard, or principle.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "talking about the difference between" in a sentence?

Use "talking about the difference between" to introduce a discussion about the dissimilarities or distinctions between two or more subjects. For example, "We were "talking about the difference between" apples and oranges".

What's a more formal way to say "talking about the difference between"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "discussing the distinction between", "analyzing the variance between", or "examining the disparity between". These alternatives provide a more elevated and professional register.

Is it grammatically correct to say "talking the difference"?

No, "talking the difference" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "talking about the difference". The word "about" is essential for the sentence to be grammatically sound.

What can I say instead of "talking about the difference between" to simply highlight a contrast?

To highlight a contrast, you could use phrases like "outlining the contrast between" or "specifying the deviation between", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.