there is a great difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is a great difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to highlight a significant distinction between two or more subjects or ideas. Example: "When comparing the two approaches to problem-solving, there is a great difference in their effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, there is a great difference between the calculation results under the different distributions of pile shaft resistance.

Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition)

The results showed that there is a great difference in microstructure and wear resistance of the Ni3 Al matrix composite at different depth.

Journal of Iron and Steel Research, International

"I knew Mussolini, and there is a great difference.

The New York Times

"There is a great difference between jihad and terrorism".

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a great difference in wear rate between severe and mild wear.

Tribology International

But there is a great difference between the American system and, say, the French one.

The New York Times - Books

"I don't find there is a great difference between 'difficult to sustain' and 'under threat'".

The Economist

Moreover, there is a great difference between trial by jury and trial by selected members of the military forces.

Cornell University

The calculated results indicate that there is a great difference in thawing features between the asymmetrical and the symmetrical routes.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

There is a great difference in elevation between these outer mountain ridges and the plains at their base.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a great difference, however, between being willing to talk about an issue and being ready to act.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there is a great difference", ensure the context clearly defines the items being compared and the specific aspects in which they differ to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "there is a great difference" when the distinction is minor or insignificant. Using it for trivial differences can weaken the impact of the phrase when describing truly significant distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a great difference" primarily functions as a declarative statement introducing a significant distinction between two or more entities. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there is a great difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight significant distinctions. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from scientific publications to news articles, emphasizing the importance of the difference being presented. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides enough information about the items being compared and the specific aspects in which they differ. Be mindful not to overstate minor differences, as this can diminish the phrase's impact when used for truly substantial distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is a considerable difference

Replaces "great" with "considerable", indicating a substantial but perhaps not overwhelming difference.

there is a significant difference

Uses "significant" instead of "great", suggesting the difference is important or noteworthy.

there is a marked difference

Employs "marked" to convey that the difference is easily noticeable or distinct.

there is a substantial difference

Substitutes "great" with "substantial", implying a difference that is of considerable size or importance.

there is a noticeable difference

Highlights the fact that the difference can be easily observed.

there is a vast difference

Uses "vast" to emphasize an extremely large or extensive difference.

there is a major difference

Replaces "great" with "major", indicating a difference of considerable importance or impact.

the difference is considerable

Rearranges the sentence structure while keeping the core meaning intact, highlighting that the difference is substantial.

the difference is significant

Rearranges the sentence to focus on the significance of the difference.

a stark contrast exists

Uses stronger and more formal vocabulary to convey a very clear and obvious difference.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "there is a great difference"?

You can use alternatives like "there is a significant difference", "there is a marked difference", or "there is a substantial difference" depending on the context.

How do I use "there is a great difference" in a sentence?

Use "there is a great difference" to highlight a notable distinction between two or more things. For example: "There is a great difference between studying and merely reviewing notes."

Is it better to say "there is a great difference" or "there are great differences"?

Use "there is a great difference" when referring to an overall or general distinction. Use "there are great differences" when highlighting multiple specific points of divergence.

What's the difference between "there is a great difference" and "there is a big difference"?

While both phrases express a notable distinction, "there is a great difference" often sounds more formal and emphasizes a more considerable or important divergence compared to the more casual "there is a big difference".