key difference

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   The most important way in which two or more things are not the same.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a key difference, the key difference, or key differences between things.

   Patterns

   • the key difference between A and B
   • a key difference in something
   • the key difference is that ...
   • point out a key difference

   The key difference between the two plans is how they are paid for.

   There is a key difference in price between the basic and premium versions.

   She explained the key differences between British and American spelling.

Word forms

Common combinations

the key difference between A and B

The key difference between the two phones is the camera.

a key difference in

There is a key difference in the way the two systems handle data.

the key difference is that

The key difference is that one method is much faster.

highlight a key difference

The report highlights a key difference between the two markets.

Synonyms and how they differ

main difference

Main difference is almost the same in meaning and slightly more conversational.

crucial distinction

Crucial distinction is more formal and often used when the difference is important for making a careful judgment.

contrast

Contrast can describe any difference, large or small, while key difference points to the single most important one.

Opposites

Word family

differ verb

To be different from something else.

different adjective

Not the same as someone or something else.

differently adverb

In a way that is not the same.

Commonly confused: key difference or key point?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “key difference”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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