the difference in vs the difference of

Both 'the difference in' and 'the difference of' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The difference in' is used when referring to the distinction between two or more things, while 'the difference of' is used when indicating the contrast or variation in a specific aspect of something.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1454 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the difference in"

This phrase is used to indicate the distinction or contrast between two or more things. It is followed by a noun or noun phrase to specify what is being compared.

Examples:

Can you explain the difference in meaning between these two words?
The difference in price between the two products is significant.
I noticed a difference in his behavior after the incident.
There is a clear difference in quality between these two brands.
What is the difference in color between these two paints?

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 3, 2019 ... What is the difference in height between those two mountains? There is a slight difference in meaning between 'shift' and 'move'.
Making the difference in social Europe: deservingness perceptions among citizens of European welfare states. Wim van OorschotView all authors and ...
What is splitting the difference in a hostage negotiation? I'll give you $5m instead of your asking price of $10m and you kill only 8 hostages and free 12?

Alternatives:

the distinction in
the contrast in
the variation in
the discrepancy in
the disparity in

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English compared to 'the difference in'.

"the difference of"

This phrase is used to indicate the contrast or variation in a specific aspect of something. It is followed by a noun or noun phrase to specify what is being compared.

Examples:

Can you explain the difference of opinion between the two parties?
The difference of texture in these fabrics is noticeable.
I can see the difference of approach in their strategies.
What is the difference of flavor between these two dishes?
There is a clear difference of opinion on this matter.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Commission proposal quite clearly recognises the difference of legal treatment between descending and ascending relatives.
I note the difference of opinion on both sides of the House as far as this particular recommendation is concerned.
An automatic catchweigher that subdivides articles of different mass into two or more subgroups according to the value of the difference of their mass and a nominal set-point.
The company claimed later that the adjustment should be based on the difference of prices charged on the domestic market to end users and to distributors.
Negotiations must come into view, and the difference of opinion with Greece over the name must be resolved.
The difference of opinion lies in divergent interpretations of the Lisbon Treaty.
Example: The treatment of positions vis-à-vis other Eurosystem national central banks explains the difference of EUR... million in Check No (s) ...
Currently, the difference of prices of the imported Chinese product and the one produced by the Community industry is more than 40 %.
In my view, the difference of approach between Mrs Sinnott and most of the other Members is rather abstract in nature.
The chrominance signals, and the color difference signals also, contain the color information. They are formed by the difference of blue minus luma or red minus luma.
I think it would have been preferable to consider this report at the same time as the White Paper we discussed yesterday, for I find the difference of legal basis not just factitious but also detrimental to political coherence and effectiveness.
Where a person paid a fee of EUR 300 for the year 2006, the office shall refund the difference of EUR 100 to that person.'
By determining the quotient of the difference of position over the difference in time Δs/Δt, the average speed of the vessel for this period can be calculated.
The difference of 40 employees could be easily offset by increased camera surveillance without security at the airfreight centre being impaired.
The difference of opinion began when Assange decided to put all of WikiLeaks' resources into the giant American disclosures.
The difference of half a rank can be maybe 5,000 dollars in paycheque a month
The difference of € 10,35 million relates to the proposed additional fisheries payments (10 million) and meeting expenses for the Committee of the Regions (350000).
The difference of 19357532 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between the emission levels of the Union and the sum of the emission levels of the Member States listed in Annex II to Decision 2002/358/EC shall be issued as assigned amount units by the Union.'.
The dilution ratio is determined from the difference of the two flows rates.
The dilution ratio is determined from the difference of the two flow rates.

Alternatives:

the contrast of
the variation of
the distinction of
the discrepancy of
the disparity of

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the difference in vs the difference of