the sole difference is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole difference is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight the only distinction between two or more items, ideas, or situations. Example: "The sole difference is that one product is made from organic materials while the other is not."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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 is that the prospect of reward or punishment can induce people to act as the morally virtuous would (as justice requires, for example), but cannot induce them to act as if they had the natural abilities.

SEP

The sole difference is his realisation that he loves Annis and wishes to marry her.

Wikipedia

The sole difference is that its structure will be based on only the structure of the relationships between the data elements.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The sole difference is the position of Neomaskellia andropogonis which becomes part of the cluster containing Bemisia tabaci, Tetraleurodes acaciae, Aleurochiton aceris, and Trialeurodes vaporariorum.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was the same novel that had got me into the course, and there was no development evident in it, I wrote in exactly the same style now as I had done then, the whole year had been wasted, the sole difference was that when they accepted me I thought I was a writer, while now, on the verge of finishing, I knew I wasn't.

The New Yorker

Compared to children who did not developed secondary acquired infection, the sole difference was a longer length of hospital stay for children who presented secondary acquired infection (p = 0.009; Additional file 1: Table S1).

Annals of Intensive Care

The sole difference was the loss of a 1,2-disubstituted double bond between C-2 and C-3, which was confirmed by the HMBC correlations of H2-2 and H2-3 with C-4, and of H2-3 with C-5, as well as the 1H-1H correlationation between H2-2 and H2-3.

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

The sole difference was that the questionnaire addressed to radiology practitioners asked about 'performed and/or reported' paediatric MI examinations while that addressed to radiographers asked about 'performed' MI examinations, since the latter do not report paediatric MI examinations at the hospital studied.

Insights into Imaging

While 1 and 3 are, in a topological perspective, identical (the sole difference being on the number of crystallization water molecules), being a 4-connected uninodal 2D networks with point symbol of {44.62}, 2 and 4 are in turn a 4,5-connected binodal (point symbol of {44.62}{44.64}) and 5-connected uninodal (point symbol of {46.64}) 3D networks, respectively.

Inorganica Chimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the sole difference is", ensure that you've clearly established what two or more entities are being compared to provide context for the distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole difference is" when multiple differences exist. If there are other contributing factors, opt for phrases like "a key difference is" or "one difference is" instead to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole difference is" functions as a connector, specifically used to highlight the single, unique distinguishing characteristic between two or more subjects. This is supported by Ludwig AI which deems the phrase grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole difference is" serves as a precise connector to pinpoint a single distinguishing factor between compared subjects. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While appropriate across various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in scientific, news, and formal business writing due to its analytical nature. Alternatives include "the only difference is" or "the main distinction is". When using this phrase, ensure the uniqueness of the difference and the clarity of the comparison to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only distinction is

Replaces "sole" with "only", emphasizing exclusivity.

the single difference is

Replaces "sole" with "single" to highlight that there is only one.

the one and only difference is

Adds emphasis to the uniqueness of the difference.

the main difference is

Substitutes "sole" with "main", focusing on the most important difference.

the key difference is

Replaces "sole" with "key", highlighting the most significant differentiating factor.

the primary difference is

Emphasizes the main or most important difference.

the crucial difference is

Replaces "sole" with "crucial", highlighting the importance of the difference.

the only variation is

Uses "variation" instead of "difference", indicating a slight change.

the distinctive feature is

Focuses on a characteristic that sets something apart.

what sets them apart is

Highlights what makes something unique compared to others.

FAQs

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

Use "the sole difference is" to point out the one and only differentiating factor between two things. For instance, "The two models are identical in every way; "the sole difference is" the color of the trim."

What are some alternatives to "the sole difference is"?

You can use phrases like "the only difference is", "the main distinction is", or "the key difference is" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the only difference is" instead of "the sole difference is"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "The only difference is" is generally more common in everyday conversation, while "the sole difference is" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "the main difference is" and "the sole difference is"?

"The main difference is" highlights the most significant difference, whereas ""the sole difference is"" emphasizes that there is only one difference between the items being compared.