the difference is low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the difference is low" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a comparison where the disparity between two values or items is minimal. Example: "After analyzing the two products, I found that the difference is low, making either choice a viable option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When the difference is low, Arctic air penetrates Europe.

The New York Times

Although the difference is low, the in-plasma catalysis configuration seems to be more efficient compared to post-plasma catalysis.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In both arms, costs were higher, the higher the baseline HbA1c, and the difference was lowest in the highest stratum.

Diabetes Care

SSF with fine gravel produced effluents of better quality than those with coarse gravel; the differences were low in comparison to the effect of water depth and HLR.

Ecological Engineering

The biologic relevance (whether this reflects a treatment effect) is not clear as the differences were low in absolute numbers mainly because of the low baseline expression in many of the tumors.

Plosone

The dimorphic muscles in castrated males with testosterone replacement (T+) achieved higher forces and lower fatigability than did castrated males without replaced testosterone (T0 males), but the magnitude of the differences was low and many of the pair-wise comparisons of each muscle property were not statistically significant.

Biology Open

Equivalent permeability changes more significantly when the pressure difference is low.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

A Wilcoxon signed ranks test indicated a significant difference (p = 0.007) between students who had completed high school biology (mean 15.91) and those who had not (mean 15.36), although the magnitude of this difference was low.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Joints reconstructed using an augmented Weaver Dunn repair were not significantly more (or less) mobile than normal joints (p>0.05), although the power of the test to detect this difference was low (power=0.107).

Journal of Biomechanics

Although we are cautious in making this comparison as the students who completed high school biology in our study did perform significantly better, the magnitude of difference was low.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Hospitalization rates were also similar, although the power to detect a difference was low.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the difference is low" to concisely indicate a small or insignificant disparity between two or more items, values, or concepts. It's particularly effective in comparative analyses where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "the difference is low" when a more precise description is possible or necessary. Quantify the difference whenever possible to provide more context and prevent ambiguity. For instance, specify "the difference is less than 5%" instead of simply stating that "the difference is low".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difference is low" functions as a qualifying statement in comparative contexts. It indicates that a comparison has been made, and the resulting disparity is assessed as small or insignificant. Ludwig examples confirm its use across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the difference is low" is a versatile phrase used to express a minor or insignificant disparity between compared items or values. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and relatively common, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While effective for conveying a general sense of similarity, it's often beneficial to quantify the difference for greater precision. Related phrases like "the disparity is minimal" or "the variation is slight" can offer nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the assertion of minimal difference and that more precise quantification isn't necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the disparity is minimal

Emphasizes the smallness of the difference, using 'disparity' for a slightly more formal tone.

the variation is slight

Focuses on the small amount of variation, suitable for statistical or scientific contexts.

there's little distinction

Highlights the lack of a clear difference, implying near indistinguishability.

the margin is negligible

Suitable when discussing numerical or quantitative differences, stressing insignificance.

the gap is narrow

Implies a small distance or interval between two values or entities.

the contrast is subtle

Highlights the delicacy and difficulty in perceiving the difference.

the distinction is faint

Indicates a barely perceptible difference, often requiring careful observation.

the divergence is limited

Emphasizes the restricted extent of deviation or separation.

the degree of difference is small

Formal rephrasing that emphasizes the measured amount of difference.

the separation is minor

Highlights the insignificance and lack of importance in the separation of compared elements.

FAQs

What does "the difference is low" mean?

It means there's a small or insignificant disparity between two or more things being compared. It suggests that they are quite similar in the aspect being considered.

How can I use "the difference is low" in a sentence?

You can use it to point out a minor distinction. For example: "The study showed that "the difference in results" between the two groups was low, indicating similar effectiveness."

What's a more formal way to say "the difference is low"?

More formal alternatives include "the disparity is minimal", "the variation is slight", or "the margin is negligible", depending on the context.

Is it better to quantify the difference instead of saying "the difference is low"?

In many cases, yes. Providing specific numbers or percentages offers more clarity and precision. However, "the difference is low" can be useful for a general overview or when exact figures aren't necessary.