draw a distinction

IELTS use

Use this phrase in IELTS Listening to follow comparison points in lectures, in Reading to track nuanced arguments, and in Writing and Speaking to present clear, precise contrasts.

Examples

1. In the lecture, the professor drew a distinction between correlation and causation.
2. When you listen to the recording, try to draw a distinction between the speaker's main point and the supporting examples.
3. The article draws a clear distinction between urban and rural transport needs.
4. To answer the essay question well, I would draw a distinction between short-term remedies and long-term solutions.

Collocations

draw a clear distinction

The speaker drew a clear distinction between the two approaches.

draw an important distinction

It is necessary to draw an important distinction between needs and wants.

draw a sharp distinction

The study draws a sharp distinction between learners' accuracy and fluency.

draw a useful distinction

The text draws a useful distinction between facts and opinions.

draw a distinction between A and B

You need to draw a distinction between facts and opinions in the listening passage.

Word family

Noun

distinction

Verb

distinguish

Adjective

distinct

Adverb

distinctly

Paraphrases

• make a distinction: A common synonym in both speaking and writing.
• differentiate between: Useful for describing differences in academic contexts.
• tell the difference between: More informal but natural in Speaking answers.
• distinguish between: A concise alternative often used in academic writing.

Common mistakes

• draw a distinction of A and B to draw a distinction between A and B. The correct preposition after 'distinction' is 'between' when two items are compared.
• take a distinction to draw a distinction. 'Draw' is the standard verb in this collocation; 'take' is not used with this meaning.
• distinction between A with B to distinction between A and B. Use 'between ... and ...' rather than 'between ... with ...'.
• draw distinction to draw a distinction. In singular countable use, include the article 'a' before 'distinction'.