to draw a line between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to draw a line between" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the act of creating a clear separation or differentiation between two things. Example: The teacher had to draw a line between her personal life and her professional life in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Think they'll be able to draw a line between what's acceptable and what's not?

The New York Times - Sports

There is nowhere to draw a line between "responsible" religions and unfounded superstitions.

The Guardian

It is difficult to draw a line between student issues and wider political campaigns.

The Guardian

She also tried to draw a line between nuclear proliferation and the peace process.

The New York Times

"They are trying to draw a line between North Korea's military program and civilian trade.

The New Yorker

But it's often difficult to draw a line between poverty and neglect.

The New Yorker

For his part, Mr. Gerson said Kopimism refused to "draw a line between copying and creativity".

The New York Times

Learning to draw a line between public and private life is, for most of us, a part of growing up.

The Guardian

In 2012, the Pentagon released a directive that tried to draw a line between semiautonomous and completely autonomous weapons.

The New York Times - Tech

That is in part because the president continues to draw a line between Sept. 11 and Iraq.

The New York Times

It was difficult to draw a line between corporal punishment and abuse, and judges drew that line in different places.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to draw a line between" when you want to emphasize the act of creating a distinction, especially where the distinction might be subtle or contested. For example, "It's important to draw a line between constructive criticism and personal attacks."

Common error

Avoid using "to draw a line between" when a more direct term like "distinguish" or "separate" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, instead of saying "We need to draw a line between the different departments", consider "We need to separate the departments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to draw a line between" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase used to indicate the act of establishing a distinction or boundary between two or more things. The Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in various contexts such as ethics, politics, and personal life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "to draw a line between" is a common expression used to indicate the act of differentiating or creating a boundary. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts, spanning from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. Its function is to clarify distinctions, and its register is typically neutral, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While related phrases such as "to distinguish between" offer similar meanings, "to draw a line between" emphasizes the deliberate act of creating a separation. When employing this phrase, it's best to emphasize meaningful distinctions rather than overusing it in contexts where simple differentiation suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to distinguish between

Focuses on identifying differences, making things distinct.

to differentiate between

Highlights the act of recognizing or creating differences.

to make a distinction between

Highlights the act of noting a difference.

to separate

Implies creating distance or a boundary between things.

to set apart

Emphasizes making something unique or distinct from others.

to identify a boundary between

Focuses on finding the point where two things diverge.

to demarcate

Suggests clearly defining the boundaries or limits of something.

to categorize

Implies assigning things to different groups or classes.

to discriminate between

Focuses on making judgments based on differences.

to contrast

Emphasizes showing the differences when comparing.

FAQs

How can I use "to draw a line between" in a sentence?

Use "to draw a line between" to emphasize the act of creating a distinction or separation, especially in situations where the difference might be subtle or disputed. For example: "The judge had to draw a line between freedom of speech and incitement to violence."

What are some alternatives to "to draw a line between"?

You can use alternatives like "to distinguish between", "to differentiate between", or "to separate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to "draw a line between" things?

No, it's not always necessary. The phrase implies a deliberate effort to create a distinction. If the difference is already clear or self-evident, using the phrase might be redundant. Consider whether the distinction needs to be actively made or simply acknowledged.

What's the difference between "to draw a line between" and "to blur the line between"?

"To draw a line between" implies creating a separation, while "to blur the line between" suggests making the distinction less clear. They are antonyms. For example, "The new regulations aim to draw a line between legitimate business practices and tax evasion", whereas "Globalization tends "to blur the line between" national cultures".