the salient difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"the salient difference" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe the most important difference between two things. For example, "The salient difference between the two candidates is their stance on education reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

When it comes to sliding, the salient difference between snow and sand is friction.

The New York Times - Travel

The salient difference, says Sean Turnell, an expert on the Burmese economy at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, is that Thailand's leaders have allowed businesses to thrive.

The New York Times

The salient difference between Madrid and Barcelona this season has been that Ronaldo, superb as he is, has never been alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Maud and Roland are redeemed from their dull, cautious modern lives only when they are infected by the wildness and grandeur of Randolph and Christabel -- a clever, knowing reversal of the standard idea that the salient difference between their time and ours is between repression and liberation.

The New York Times

Gina Kim Shoreview, Minn., Dec. 21, 2008 • To the Editor: The salient difference between supporting generous government programs and donating one's own time and money to the poor is that the latter manifests the desire to sacrifice personally for the greater good.

The New York Times

The salient difference between the graphs on the left and those on the right is that in the rightmost graphs the flow lines at the tube wall are not perpendicular to the axis, which is a feature of the Navier slip condition at that boundary.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

One of the salient differences we discovered concerned gender.

Harvard Business Review

A logistic regression model combined with the spline method is used to analyze and categorize the salient differences between users and non-users.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Boys can now have dolls, and girls Erector sets; we agree that the salient differences between genders are social constructs, and give little leeway to those who insinuate that, say, women have less aptitude for science and engineering.

The New Yorker

The resulting erosion of wage-setting institutions in the United States helps explain (to that extent) one of the salient differences between United States and German societies in the last quarter-century, and the astonishing increase in general economic inequality in the United States.

Columbia University

Sometimes I struggle to find the salient differences between one pair and another, especially are both good, as in the case of Logitech's G35 and the Razer Megalodon.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the salient difference", ensure that the context clearly identifies the items being compared. Provide specific details about this difference to enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the salient difference" to describe minor or inconsequential differences. Reserve the phrase for truly significant distinctions that have a real impact on the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the salient difference" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most important distinction between two or more things. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s used to describe the most important difference. Examples show its use in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the salient difference" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the most important distinction between two things. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used. Predominantly found in science, news, and academic writing, it carries a formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being compared and that the difference you are highlighting is truly significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the key distinction

Replaces "salient difference" with "key distinction", emphasizing a crucial differentiating factor.

the primary distinction

Substitutes "salient" with "primary", pinpointing the main differentiating element.

the most important difference

Replaces "salient" with "most important", directly highlighting the significance of the difference.

the notable contrast

Changes "difference" to "contrast" and "salient" to "notable", presenting a noteworthy dissimilarity.

the significant divergence

Employs "divergence" instead of "difference" and "significant" in place of "salient", stressing a marked deviation.

the critical factor

Shifts focus to a "critical factor", rather than a difference, implying that this factor is what sets the things apart

the distinguishing feature

Uses "distinguishing feature" to highlight what makes something unique compared to something else.

the major differentiating point

Replaces "difference" with "differentiating point" and "salient" with "major", underscoring a principal element that sets subjects apart.

the fundamental disparity

Swaps "difference" for "disparity" and "salient" for "fundamental", emphasizing a basic lack of similarity.

the overriding consideration

Shifts the context from a simple difference to an "overriding consideration" suggesting a more important point of view.

FAQs

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

Use "the salient difference" to highlight the most important distinction between two or more things. For example, "The salient difference between the two proposals is their approach to budget allocation."

What is a good alternative to "the salient difference"?

Alternatives include "the key distinction", "the primary distinction", or "the most important difference" depending on the context.

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

"Significant difference" indicates a noteworthy difference. "The salient difference", on the other hand, emphasizes that the difference is particularly important or relevant within a specific context.

What does "salient" mean in the context of "the salient difference"?

In this context, "salient" means most noticeable or important. Thus, "the salient difference" refers to the most important or noticeable difference.