"the difference between" vs "the difference of"

Question

"the difference between" vs "the difference of"

Both "the difference of" and "the difference between" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "The difference of" is used when comparing two specific things, while "the difference between" is used when comparing two or more things in a more general sense.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Use "the difference between" when you are comparing two or more things to highlight the distinctions among them.

Examples:

What is the difference between cats and dogs?
Can you explain the difference between these two concepts?

Alternatives:

the contrast between
the distinction between

Use "the difference of" when you are comparing two specific things to highlight the distinction between them.

Examples:

Can you explain the difference of opinion between the two parties?
What is the difference of color between these two paint samples?

Alternatives:

the distinction of
the contrast of

Answer 1

the difference between

This phrase is correct and more commonly used when comparing two or more things in a general sense.

Answer 2

the difference of

This phrase is correct but used in a specific context when comparing two specific things.

"the difference between" vs "the difference of"

the difference between

the difference of

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