Meaning & use
differentiate
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To recognize or show the difference between two or more things.
Grammar: Can take an object ('differentiate the two species') or be used with 'between' ('differentiate between the two species').
Patterns
- differentiate between A and B
- differentiate A from B
It is hard to differentiate between the twins when they wear the same clothes.
The new labeling system helps consumers differentiate organic food from non-organic.
Teachers should differentiate between a mistake and a misunderstanding.
verbtransitive
To make someone or something appear different or distinct from others.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'The logo differentiates our brand.' Often used with 'from'.
Patterns
- differentiate something from something
- differentiate oneself
The company uses unique packaging to differentiate its products from competitors.
Her excellent communication skills differentiate her from other candidates.
verbtransitivemathematics
In mathematics, to calculate the derivative of a function.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'differentiate the function.' Used mainly in calculus.
Patterns
- differentiate a function
- differentiate with respect to a variable
In calculus class, we learned to differentiate polynomial functions.
To find the slope, differentiate the equation with respect to x.
verbintransitivebiology
In biology, to develop specialized structures or functions from unspecialized cells.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'into': 'The cells differentiate into nerve cells.'
Patterns
- differentiate into something
- differentiate from something
Stem cells can differentiate into many different types of tissue.
As the embryo grows, its cells differentiate into organs and limbs.
Word forms
| third person singular | differentiates |
|---|---|
| past tense | differentiated |
| past participle | differentiated |
| -ing form | differentiating |
Common combinations
- differentiate between
- Can you differentiate between the two types of mushrooms?
- differentiate from
- Good design can differentiate a product from its rivals.
- differentiate into
- The stem cells differentiate into blood cells.
- clearly differentiate
- The report clearly differentiates between fact and opinion.
- differentiate oneself
- She differentiated herself by learning three languages.
Synonyms and how they differ
- distinguish
- Very close in meaning; 'distinguish' is slightly more formal and often used with 'between' or 'from'.
- discriminate
- Can mean 'tell the difference,' but it often suggests unfair treatment, so use 'differentiate' to avoid that negative sense.
- tell apart
- Informal phrase meaning to see the difference; 'differentiate' is more formal and used in writing.
Opposites
Word family
- differentiation noun
- The act of recognizing or making a difference, or the process of cells becoming specialized.
- different adjective
- Not the same as another thing.
- difference noun
- The way in which things are not the same.
- differential adjective
- Relating to a difference, often in mathematics or mechanics.
Commonly confused: differentiate or discriminate? differentiate or differentiate vs. derivative?
differentiate vs discriminate
Discriminate can mean 'tell the difference,' but it often means 'treat unfairly because of race, sex, etc.' Differentiate does not have that negative meaning.
differentiate vs differentiate vs. derivative
Differentiate is the verb; derivative is the noun or adjective for the result in calculus.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'differentiate' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Differentiate means to recognize or show a difference, and it is correctly used with 'between' here. Option 0 and 3 confuse it with 'decorate' or 'change'; option 2 is nonsense because differentiate is not a verb of motion.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “differentiate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.