the only difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"the only difference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to highlight a single contrast or discrepancy between two things. For example: "The only difference between these two products is the price; all other features are identical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The only difference?

The New York Times

That's the only difference.

Cornell University

"The only difference is material and scale.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only difference would be your vows.

The New York Times

The only difference: It's hyper-personalized.

The New York Times - Tech

A: Demand, that's the only difference.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only difference is, you're alive.

The New York Times

The only difference is their arsenals.

The New Yorker

The only difference is Law.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That is the only difference.

Cornell University

That wasn't the only difference.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "the only difference" with a clear and direct statement of what that difference is. Avoid ambiguity by stating precisely what sets the compared items apart.

Common error

Avoid using "the only difference" when multiple meaningful differences exist. Acknowledge additional factors to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only difference" functions primarily as a determiner phrase that introduces a singular distinction between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and accepted way to emphasize a key point of divergence. Examples in Ludwig highlight its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only difference" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a singular point of contrast between two or more subjects. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to clarify and focus attention, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts from news and media to academic writing. While "the only difference" is widely accepted and frequently used, as evidenced by the many examples in Ludwig, it's important to ensure that there aren't other meaningful differences to avoid oversimplification. Alternative phrases like "the sole distinction" or "the main differentiator" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sole distinction

Replaces 'difference' with 'distinction', emphasizing uniqueness.

the single distinguishing feature

Highlights that the difference is a notable feature.

the one key variation

Focuses on the 'key' aspect of the difference, suggesting importance.

the main differentiator

Uses business-oriented terminology to describe the difference.

the essential contrast

Emphasizes the element of 'contrast' between the items being compared.

the critical dissimilarity

Highlights that the difference is of great importance.

what sets them apart

Shifts the focus to the separation caused by the difference.

the only point of divergence

Implies that everything else is the same except this specific point.

the outstanding characteristic

Emphasizes the 'outstanding' nature of the distinguishing factor.

the distinguishing aspect

Focuses on a specific aspect that differentiates.

FAQs

How can I use "the only difference" in a sentence?

Use "the only difference" to point out a singular distinction between two or more subjects. For example, "The only difference between the two models is the color".

What's another way to say "the only difference"?

You can use phrases like "the sole distinction", "the main differentiator", or "the single distinguishing feature" to express a similar idea.

Is it correct to say "the only difference is that"?

Yes, "the only difference is that" is a grammatically correct and common construction. It introduces a clause that explains what the single difference is.

What is the difference between "the only difference" and "a key difference"?

"The only difference" implies there is just one point of dissimilarity, while "a key difference" suggests there are multiple differences, but you are highlighting a particularly important one.