what's the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"What's the difference?" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are asking someone to explain the distinctions between two or more things. For example, "What's the difference between a hard drive and a solid state drive?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

WHAT'S the difference between a brasserie and a bistro?

The New York Times

A. What's the difference?

The New Yorker

NED: What's the difference?

The New Yorker

Woman: What's the difference?

The New York Times

"What's the difference?" he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"What's the difference?" I asked.

The New Yorker

"What's the difference?" he asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Parrish said: "What's the difference?

The New York Times - Sports

I figured, What's the difference?

The New York Times - Magazine

"So I said: 'What's the difference?

The New York Times - Sports

Snapchat: What's The Difference?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase rhetorically, as seen in many Ludwig examples, you can omit the items being compared if they were just mentioned in the previous sentence.

Common error

A common mistake is saying "what's difference" instead of "what's the difference". The definite article "the" is required because you are asking about a specific, singular quality of being different in that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's the difference" serves as an interrogative structure consisting of a contracted pronoun-verb pair ("what is"), a definite article, and a common noun. According to Ludwig AI, it primarily functions to initiate a comparative analysis or to express indifference when used rhetorically.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Informal

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Legal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "what's the difference" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct English phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in top-tier publications to introduce comparisons or highlight the lack of meaningful distinction between two things. Whether you are writing a tech article or engaging in casual conversation, this phrase is a reliable tool for inquiry. It is most effective when followed by the preposition "between" to clearly define the parameters of the comparison. Alternatives like "what is the distinction" can be used to elevate the tone for academic or professional audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How are they different

A simpler, direct alternative using an adjective instead of a noun

How do they differ

Uses a verb-based structure to focus on the process of differentiation

What is the distinction

Offers a more formal tone suitable for academic or legal contexts

What distinguishes them

Uses a more sophisticated verb to ask for specific defining features

What sets them apart

Emphasizes the unique characteristics that separate two or more things

What is the contrast between

Focuses specifically on the striking differences or opposing qualities

What separates the two

Suggests a clear boundary or dividing line between concepts

What is the variance

Implies a more technical or statistical comparison of data

What is the discrepancy

Suggests an unexpected or problematic difference between things that should match

How do they compare

Broadens the question to include both similarities and differences

FAQs

How to use "what's the difference" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone question or follow it with a specific comparison, such as "what's the difference between a "bistro and a brasserie"?"

What can I say instead of "what's the difference" in a formal report?

In formal writing, you should use more precise language like "what is the distinction" or "what sets them apart".

Is it correct to use "what's the difference" rhetorically?

Yes, it is very common to use it rhetorically to suggest that the differences are negligible, like in the phrase "what's the difference anyway?"

Which is better: "how are they different" or "what's the difference"?

Both are correct. "how are they different" focuses on the state of being different, while "what's the difference" asks for the specific noun-form distinction.