to draw contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

'to draw contrast' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two different things that are being discussed in order to show how they are different. For example: "A key difference between the two approaches is that one uses a theoretical framework to draw contrast, while the other relies on empirical evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While the Republican alternative was intended to draw contrast with the Democrats' approach, it also revealed many areas of broad agreement, potentially bolstering the Democrats' argument that the remaining differences could be worked out quickly and that there was no reason for delay.

The New York Times

They want to get shots in wherever and whenever they can, and here they have an opportunity to draw contrast and get their names attached to a big story".

Huffington Post

Days later, The Washington Post's Robert Costa reported that "House Republican leaders" were "adopting an agreed-upon approach to fixing the nation's health-care system, in part to draw contrast" with Obamacare.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I would start to draw contrasts with her.

The New York Times

Both parties seized on the smaller bill to draw contrasts in advance of the 2012 elections.

The New York Times

They are already encouraging reporters to draw contrasts to what they describe -- with a touch of envy -- as Mr. Bush's "cotton-candy convention".

The New York Times

Yes he's against abortion, but on everything else he's tried to move to the center and make it difficult for her to draw contrasts".

The New York Times

"We will leave it to other people," Mr. Bartlett said on CNN, "to try to draw contrasts or parallels or similarities".

The New York Times

Tuesday's speech, his advisers say, reflects the start of a more intensive effort by Mr. McCall to put himself in the spotlight, and to draw contrasts with Mr. Pataki.

The New York Times

Picking up the theme at a news conference after her television appearance, Mrs. Clinton said: "Part of my campaign is to draw contrasts between me and my opponent.

The New York Times

It is also true that the candidates, especially those in the Senate race, are not all that dissimilar, despite their efforts to draw contrasts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to draw contrast" when you want to explicitly highlight the differences between two or more subjects, especially when the differences are not immediately obvious. It's effective in analytical writing and persuasive arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "to draw contrast" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "to show differences" or "to highlight variations" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to draw contrast" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating a purpose or intention. It is used to describe an action taken to highlight the differences between two or more things. Ludwig confirms the validity of this construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to draw contrast" serves the purpose of highlighting the differences between two or more entities, arguments, or concepts. It is used in contexts where explicit distinctions need to be emphasized. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and valid, appearing frequently in the "News & Media" and in the "Science" domains. When writing, it's important to consider formality; while "to draw contrast" is suitable for analytical writing and reports, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to highlight a contrast

Focuses on making the contrast prominent, emphasizing visibility.

to emphasize differences

Stresses the act of pointing out the disparities.

to underscore distinctions

Formal; aims to make the differences clear and important.

to set apart

Highlights the unique qualities that make something different.

to differentiate between

Focuses on identifying specific points of variance.

to distinguish between

Similar to differentiate, emphasizing clarity in perception.

to juxtapose

Involves placing two things side by side to highlight their differences.

to compare and contrast

A comprehensive approach that considers both similarities and differences.

to illustrate the divergence

Highlights the point at which things start to differ or move apart.

to bring into relief

Emphasizes making something stand out by contrasting it with its background.

FAQs

How can I use "to draw contrast" in a sentence?

Use "to draw contrast" when you want to explicitly highlight the differences between two or more subjects. For example, "The study uses statistical analysis to draw contrast between urban and rural poverty rates."

What are some alternatives to "to draw contrast"?

You can use alternatives like "to highlight a contrast", "to emphasize differences", or "to underscore distinctions" depending on the context.

Is "to draw contrast" formal or informal?

The phrase "to draw contrast" is generally considered more formal and is often used in analytical writing, reports, and persuasive arguments. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

What's the difference between "to draw contrast" and "to make a comparison"?

While "to make a comparison" involves looking at both similarities and differences, "to draw contrast" focuses specifically on highlighting the differences between two or more subjects. Comparison is broad, contrast is specific.