the significant difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the significant difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a notable or important distinction between two or more items, concepts, or situations. Example: "The significant difference between the two products lies in their durability and performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Uppercase letters the significant difference (p < 0.05) of different treatments within the same time; lowercase letters the significant difference (p < 0.05) of the same treatments within different times.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

The different letters represent the significant difference between two land uses.

Ecological Processes

The significant difference (p < 0.05, t test) is indicated by different letters.

Nature

But that's not the significant difference.

The New York Times - Arts

The significant difference this season is the presence of Santana.

The New York Times - Sports

The significant difference between treatments was set at P < 0.05.

Nature

What is the significant difference between a product that is antiseptic and one that is antibacterial?

Columbia University

For digital SLR owners looking for something smaller and lighter, the lack of a blinking mirror is the significant difference.

The Guardian - Tech

The significant difference this time, apart from the rise in spending, is that the ads are almost all negative.

The Guardian

The significant difference in the induction of GCs probably resulted in the corresponding difference in their antibody responses.

Nature

The unpaired Student's t test per gene probe was used to determine the significant difference between sample categories.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the significant difference", ensure you clearly articulate what two or more things are being compared and why the difference matters. Be specific to provide context and meaning to your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "the significant difference" when the distinction is trivial or inconsequential. Make sure the difference truly has an impact or importance in the context you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the significant difference" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific distinction that is considered important or noteworthy. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to highlight key dissimilarities in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

23%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the significant difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to emphasize notable distinctions across various domains. Analysis from Ludwig indicates that its usage spans from scientific research to news reporting, demonstrating its versatility and broad applicability. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register and is particularly common in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While the phrase is generally correct, it's important to ensure that the difference being highlighted is indeed meaningful to avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "the key distinction" or "the notable difference" can be used for variety. Given its prevalence and clear function, "the significant difference" remains a valuable tool for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the key distinction

Focuses on the most important difference.

the principal difference

Focuses on the main or most important difference.

the marked difference

Highlights a noticeable or distinct difference.

the notable distinction

Emphasizes the easiness to notice or observe difference.

the outstanding difference

Emphasizes that the difference is easily noticeable because it stands out.

the crucial variation

Stresses the importance of the difference.

the essential contrast

Focuses on the fundamental differences.

the major disparity

Highlights a considerable difference or inequality.

the primary divergence

Highlights the main point where things separate or differ.

the substantial divergence

Indicates a considerable and important difference.

FAQs

How to use "the significant difference" in a sentence?

Use "the significant difference" to highlight a notable distinction between two or more things. For example, "The significant difference between the two models is their battery life."

What can I say instead of "the significant difference"?

You can use alternatives like "the key distinction", "the notable difference", or "the primary divergence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the significant difference" or "a significant difference"?

"The significant difference" refers to a specific, already understood difference. "A significant difference" introduces a new or general difference. The choice depends on whether you are referring to something already known or introducing a new distinction.

What's the difference between "the significant difference" and "the fundamental difference"?

"The significant difference" highlights an important distinction, while "the fundamental difference" points to a basic or foundational distinction. Use "fundamental" when the difference is at the core or root of the comparison.