the sole difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"the sole difference" is a correct phrase that is used in written English.
For example, "The sole difference between the two products is the color."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sole difference between the two passes concerns the global reaction time in the depressive group.

European Psychiatry

The sole difference between these deaths is that only with the former do we already know it's a crime.

The New Yorker

The sole difference, which is the difference between a child's reality and an adult's, was that they were no longer laden with meaning.

The New Yorker

I challenged readers to devise a test that would isolate megapixels as the sole difference between the test photos — without involving Photoshop.

The New York Times

The sole difference would be that political parties would have an additional option when it came to deciding how best communicate their message.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sole difference is that the doppelgänger has no consciousness; this – as opposed to a groaning, blood-spattered walking corpse from a movie – is what philosophers mean by a "zombie".

The Guardian

(They were probably not aware that the sole difference is how far Mrs. Washington dips her ladle into the jug and whether she stirs, to loosen the pepper sediment).

The New York Times - Food

The sole difference between the groups was that the probe of a 1.06-μm continuous wave laser emitted 204mW/cm2 (12.24J/cm2) for the treated subjects and was inactive for the control subjects.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

"The exiled Iraqis are the exact replica of those who currently govern us… with the sole difference that the latter are already satiated since they have been robbing us for the past 30 years," he said.

Independent

However, applications to the combined program should in content and all other respects follow the norms of the regular doctoral application (the sole difference being that the applicant should specifically address in the statement-of-purpose why he/she is interested in the combined program).

Yale University

What has happened to it, over half a century, is that its legion of admirers has not essentially displaced the claims of its early detractors; both proceed on the assumption that Frank was severely critical, and the sole difference between the two schools is that the modern fans accept the criticism as thoroughly deserved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole difference" to clearly and concisely highlight the single most important distinction between two or more subjects. This emphasizes clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole difference" when multiple differences exist, even if one seems more significant. It's crucial to ensure that the highlighted difference is truly the only one to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole difference" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, acting as a subject complement or an appositive. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, typically to highlight the singular distinction between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to underscore the single, most significant distinction between two subjects. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase enjoys widespread usage across diverse domains including science, news media, and academia. Its primary function is to clearly emphasize a unique distinguishing factor. When considering similar phrases, such as "the only distinction", ensure that the term accurately reflects the context, avoiding its use if multiple differences exist. In essence, "the sole difference" is a powerful tool for clarity and precision in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only distinction

Replaces 'sole' with 'only', emphasizing singularity. slightly less formal.

the one and only difference

Adds emphasis to the singularity of the difference.

the key difference

Focuses on the importance of the difference rather than its singularity.

the main distinction

Highlights the primary or most important difference.

the singular distinction

Replaces 'sole' with 'singular', emphasizing the uniqueness.

the single distinguishing factor

More formal and emphasizes the factor that sets things apart.

the crucial difference

Emphasizes that the difference is essential or decisive.

the solitary difference

Replaces 'sole' with 'solitary', which also means single or alone.

the unique aspect

Highlights a particular characteristic that is not shared.

the solitary aspect

Emphasizes the single, isolated nature of the aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "the sole difference" to emphasize the single, most important distinction between two things. For example, "The sole difference between the two models is the screen size."

What phrases are similar to "the sole difference"?

Similar phrases include "the only difference", "the key difference", or "the main distinction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "the sole difference" if there are other minor differences?

No, using "the sole difference" implies that only one difference exists. If there are other minor differences, it's more accurate to say "the main difference" or "the most significant difference".

What's the difference between "the sole difference" and "a difference"?

"The sole difference" indicates there is only one difference. "A difference" simply acknowledges that there is at least one difference, without excluding the possibility of others.