1
general::
noun clear difference ADJ. critical, crucial, important, key, main, major, vital | basic, essential, fundamental, underlying | clear, clear-cut, definite, marked, obvious, real, rigid, sharp, strong | fine, subtle | broad, general | crude, simple | logical, valid | useful | arbitrary, artificial | invidious making invidious distinctions between the ‘deserving’ and the ‘undeserving’ poor | absolute Is there always an absolute distinction between right and wrong? | conventional, old, traditional the conventional distinction between pure and applied science | formal | conceptual | theoretical | class, cultural, gender, moral VERB + DISTINCTION draw, make She draws an important distinction between the different kinds of illness. | recognize, see We can see a sharp distinction between ambition and greed. | blur blurring the distinction between amateur and professional players DISTINCTION + VERB lie Cultural distinctions lie at the heart of these issues. PREP. without ~ All groups are entitled to this money without distinction (= without a difference being made between them). | ~ between excellence/fame ADJ. considerable, great | modest | dubious | rare | unique | added | academic, intellectual, professional, social Wearing the county tie was a mark of modest social distinction. VERB + DISTINCTION have He has the dubious distinction of being the first railway baron to go bankrupt. | achieve She achieved distinction in several fields of scholarship. | add Fennel leaves add distinction to any dish. PREP. of ~ She is a historian of great distinction. | with ~ He served with distinction in the First World War.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
distinction
verbs
make a distinction
( also draw a distinction formal ) (= say or show that one exists )
• It isn’t easy to make a distinction between these two words.
blur the distinction between something and something
(= make it less clear )
• Both sides in the war had been blurring the distinction between military and civilian targets.
see a distinction
(= recognize that one exists )
• He saw no distinction between religious beliefs and superstition.
adjectives
a clear distinction
• The legal system makes a clear distinction between adults and children.
a fine/subtle distinction
(= small )
• Language enables us to make fine distinctions between similar ideas.
a sharp distinction
(= very clear )
• The President drew a sharp distinction between his party and the Republican Party.
an important/crucial distinction
• There is an important distinction between these two types of cancer.
a fundamental distinction
(= a basic one )
• There is a fundamental distinction between authors and readers.
a useful distinction
• He makes a useful distinction between the two theories.
transnet.ir