differ in color vs differ by color

Both "differ in color" and "differ by color" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Differ in color" is more commonly used when describing how two things are not the same in terms of color. On the other hand, "differ by color" is used when specifying the way in which things are distinct based on color.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1967 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"differ in color"

This phrase is used to indicate that two or more things are not the same in terms of color.

Examples:

These two shirts differ in color.
The flowers in the garden differ in color and size.

Show examples from the web [+]

Colordiff upper threshold. pixels that differ in color more than this value (compared with the corresponding pixel in the colormask) are set to upper opacity value (usually opaque)
Colordiff lower threshold. pixels that differ in color less than this value (compared with the corresponding pixel in the colormask) are set to lower opacity value (usually transparent)
This filter works on color borders. It spreads pixels that differ in a specified way from their neighbouring pixels.
tissues differ in weight, thickness, pattern and consistency. mesh can be made, fantasy, embossed or color...
China and Japan differ in many points.
You can see that the repeat units differ in length. They also differ in sequence.
We differ in tone, but unite in passion.
Clearly, we differ in our views of humanity.
China and Japan differ in many points.
The two countries differ in religion and culture.
They differ in a number of respects from the arrangements which applied in 2000-2006.
Air conditioning systems differ in quality, however.
Thus the terms used in the different language versions of EU legislation sometimes differ in their legal implications.
Figures are relative and differ in terms of victims.
We have common conclusions although we differ in our practical approach.
These standards will differ in certain aspects according to the risks actually covered by the institutions.
I believe both projects are important, as they differ in terms of their timescales.
We also differ in our landscapes.
The situation in agricultural sectors differs in the various Member States.
These substances differ in M4 and M7, as indicated above.

Alternatives:

vary in color
contrast in color
show differences in color
are dissimilar in color
are unlike in color

This phrase is correct but less commonly used than "differ in color."

"differ by color"

This phrase is used to specify the way in which things are distinct based on color.

Examples:

The items are sorted by size and differ by color.
The two paintings differ by color scheme.

Show examples from the web [+]

Colordiff lower threshold. pixels that differ in color less than this value (compared with the corresponding pixel in the colormask) are set to lower opacity value (usually transparent)
Colordiff upper threshold. pixels that differ in color more than this value (compared with the corresponding pixel in the colormask) are set to upper opacity value (usually opaque)
They differ by size, shape, and sometimes even color.
It differs by person and taste.
Cancer survival rates differ by as much as 10% between the Member States.
They differ by nature from those entered in column (4).
They only differ by four letters but that certainly makes a very big difference at the budgetary level.
It's an effect caused by color-shifting ink.
This is a wine-buying experience simplified by color and taste.
It's all perfectly organized by color, as well as designer.
The fees in Member States may not differ by more than 10% from the average within the Community.
The average result of a duplicate determination should not differ by more than 1 % from that of the collaborative study.
If the frontal area of two vehicles which are similar in other ways differs by more than 15%, then they must be placed in different families.
Greece and Italy have the same taxation system, but the price of Marlborough differs by 40 % between the two countries.
The means of two successive SRTT braking tests shall not differ by more than 5 per cent.
If the concentrations measured in at least the two last vessels do not differ by more than 15 %, the test is satisfactory.
The mean values obtained from two tests with different flows should not differ by more than 30 %.
The individual results from each of the three flasks, which should not differ by more than 15 %, are averaged.
Similarly, differences between biodegradation values from duplicate units (if used) treating a test chemical should not differ by more than 5 %.
In a series of five trials on a single substance no results should differ by more than 30 % from the arithmetic mean.

Alternatives:

differ based on color
differ according to color
differ depending on color
differ with respect to color
differ in terms of color

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differ in color vs differ by color

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