Grammar fix
a marked difference
a marked difference (noticeable/clear difference)
a very noticeable or obvious difference between two things, often used to emphasize contrast in formal or evaluative contexts.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- There was a marked difference in her attitude after she returned from her trip abroad.education
- When comparing urban and rural lifestyles, there is often a marked difference in access to healthcare and educational opportunities.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: a marked difference (between A and B / in something)
WrongThere's a marked difference of quality.
RightThere's a marked difference in quality.
'A difference IN [quality]'; 'between X and Y'.
Patterna marked difference (between A and B / in something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Conspicuously perceptible' is jargon; 'a marked difference' is the set phrase.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a marked difference ininbetweenthere'sshow
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic collocation 'a difference', 'a marked difference' emphasizes that the contrast is clear and easy to notice. It is more formal and specific than 'a big difference', and is often used in discussions, presentations, or essays.