what is the difference between vs what was the difference between

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What is the difference between' is used when asking about a current or ongoing difference, while 'What was the difference between' is used when referring to a past difference.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 843 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about a current or ongoing difference.

"what is the difference between"

This phrase is used to inquire about the distinctions or contrasts between two or more things at the present moment.

Examples:

What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
Can you explain what the difference is between these two options?

Show examples from the web [+]

Then what is the difference between sending the message and delivering it?
Can you tell me what is the difference between them? Are different species?
Roland, what is the difference between sitting here and sitting at home?
Mr Brok, what is the difference between the Goldstone report and the resolution that followed?
a lot of people ask what is the difference between dermis and epidermis and
With Mark Detection, what is the difference between an individual zone and a zone group?
do you know what is the difference between a warrior and an ordinary man?
So, what is the difference between a yeti and an abominable snowman?
But what is the difference between PRS and the open service that is available freely in things like car navigation?
I'm sorry, just to clarify, what is the difference between a journal and a diary?
Q: On the 190 series what is the difference between Scope Record and Trend Plot?
But, you know, what is the difference between that and golf and Martinis with your buddies?
So what is the difference between coming out in the '70s, - coming out now?
what is the difference between retin a 0.1% gel and retin a micro:
And might I ask, what is the difference between a fib and a lie?
In Database Lookup setup wizard, what is the difference between Validate Index Fields and Populate Index Fields?
And if I remember nothing of what or who I am... if this consciousness is erased... what is the difference between that and death?
If so, which applications from which Member States were involved and what is the difference between the amount claimed and the amount paid out? -
But what is the difference between modifying the staff context by using \with and modifying the stencils of the clef and the time signature with \override?
My question then is as follows: what is the difference between a joint flight and a group flight?

Alternatives:

What are the differences between
How do these two things differ?
Can you clarify the distinction between
In what ways do these two things contrast?
What sets these two things apart?

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past difference.

"what was the difference between"

This phrase is used to ask about the distinctions or contrasts that existed between two or more things in the past.

Examples:

What was the difference between the old and new versions of the software?
Can you tell me what the difference was between the two teams last season?

Show examples from the web [+]

Jun 25, 2012 ... What was the difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees? up vote 16 down vote favorite. 1. Jesus often encountered "Pharisees" and ...
Jun 14, 2013 ... In the British empire, what was the difference between a Governor General and a Viceroy? up vote 9 down vote favorite. In the many colonies of ...
Question: In the Middle Ages, what was the difference between a cardinal, a bishop, and a priest? Answer: Show Answer. Cardinals were each in charge of the ...
May 3, 2015 ... In Nazi Germany, what was the difference between the Gestapo and the SS? Was it possible to be a member of both? Frequently asked in.

Alternatives:

What were the differences between
How did these two things differ in the past?
Can you explain the distinction that existed between
In what ways did these two things contrast in the past?
What set these two things apart in the past?

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what is the difference between vs what was the difference between