the difference between...is vs the difference between...are

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The difference between...is' is used when referring to a singular noun or concept, while 'The difference between...are' is used when referring to plural nouns or concepts.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 724 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a singular noun or concept.

"the difference between...is"

This phrase is used when discussing the distinction or contrast between two singular items or ideas.

Examples:

The difference between cats and dogs is that cats are more independent.
The difference between success and failure is often perseverance.
The difference between the two options is clear.

Show examples from the web [+]

The difference between Zane and Taggart... is the petrotech.
The difference between us is... I didn't ignore them.
Well, that's fine, but remember, we're supposed to find out what the difference is between... the intelligence of an ape and a human being.
The only way I can help him, is to show him the difference... between what is real and what is in his mind.
Stern used a glass of water and a hammer to demonstrate the difference between...
I learned the difference between... a fine oil painting and a mechanical thing, like a photograph.
Sometimes it seems to me that the difference between... what we want and what we fear... is the width of an eyelash.
What's the difference between... the liquid and PB3?
There are differences between... you and Melanie and the others.
[Man] The brain does not know the difference between... what it sees in its environment and what it remembers... because the same specific neural nets are then firing.
These dotheads don't know the difference between food...
You know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams...
There is a very big difference between... look, the things that you've told me over the past few weeks...
You, sir... wouldn't know the difference between this... and a glass of Two-Buck Chuck.
That's the difference between a cabbage... and you.
Doctor, can you tell the difference - between these two...
I was just thinking of the difference between you and...
It's the difference between Johns Hopkins and... a state school.
But even I know the difference between loving somebody... and just going to bed with them.
I should think that you Jedi would have more respect... for the difference between knowledge and... wisdom.

Alternatives:

the distinction between...is
the contrast between...is
the disparity between...is
the discrepancy between...is
the variation between...is

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to plural nouns or concepts.

"the difference between...are"

This phrase is used when discussing the distinction or contrast between two or more items or ideas.

Examples:

The difference between cats and dogs are their preferred types of food.
The difference between success and failure are the choices we make.
The difference between the two options are significant.

Show examples from the web [+]

Stern used a glass of water and a hammer to demonstrate the difference between...
I learned the difference between... a fine oil painting and a mechanical thing, like a photograph.
What's the difference between... the liquid and PB3?
There are differences between... you and Melanie and the others.
Sometimes it seems to me that the difference between... what we want and what we fear... is the width of an eyelash.
[Man] The brain does not know the difference between... what it sees in its environment and what it remembers... because the same specific neural nets are then firing.
These dotheads don't know the difference between food...
You know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams...
There is a very big difference between... look, the things that you've told me over the past few weeks...
You, sir... wouldn't know the difference between this... and a glass of Two-Buck Chuck.
That's the difference between a cabbage... and you.
Doctor, can you tell the difference - between these two...
I was just thinking of the difference between you and...
It's the difference between Johns Hopkins and... a state school.
The difference between Zane and Taggart... is the petrotech.
The difference between us is... I didn't ignore them.
But even I know the difference between loving somebody... and just going to bed with them.
I should think that you Jedi would have more respect... for the difference between knowledge and... wisdom.
What is the difference between me... and another child?
This could be the difference... between war... or not.

Alternatives:

the distinctions between...are
the contrasts between...are
the disparities between...are
the discrepancies between...are
the variations between...are

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the difference between...is vs the difference between...are