Meaning
To be able to distinguish between two or more things.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'tell the difference' is often used in marketing to challenge consumers to compare a generic brand with a name brand. In the UK, this phrase is often used in the context of food and drink, especially regarding regional specialties. In Japan, the concept of 'chigai ga wakaru' is often used in advertising to suggest that only a sophisticated person can notice the quality. Germans value precision; using 'tell the difference' is seen as a practical way to assess quality in engineering or technical contexts.
Use 'between'
Always use 'between' when you list the two items you are comparing.
Don't say 'make'
Avoid saying 'make the difference' when you mean 'identify'. It sounds like you are changing the outcome.
Meaning
To be able to distinguish between two or more things.
Use 'between'
Always use 'between' when you list the two items you are comparing.
Don't say 'make'
Avoid saying 'make the difference' when you mean 'identify'. It sounds like you are changing the outcome.
Use 'apart'
If you are talking about people, 'tell them apart' is often more natural than 'tell the difference between them'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
I can't ______ between these two brands.
The idiom is 'tell the difference'.
Choose the correct sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
The preposition 'between' is required when comparing two items.
Complete the dialogue.
A: These twins are identical! B: I know, I can't ______.
'Tell them apart' is a common variation of 'tell the difference'.
Match the situation to the correct usage.
You are at a store comparing two shirts. What do you say?
This is the standard phrase for comparing items.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI can't ______ between these two brands.
The idiom is 'tell the difference'.
Which sentence is correct?
The preposition 'between' is required when comparing two items.
A: These twins are identical! B: I know, I can't ______.
'Tell them apart' is a common variation of 'tell the difference'.
You are at a store comparing two shirts. What do you say?
This is the standard phrase for comparing items.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but 'distinguish between' might be slightly better in very formal reports.
They are very similar, but 'tell apart' is usually for people or objects.
That is a different idiom meaning to have an impact.
Yes, you can tell the difference between two opinions or two theories.
Usually, but you can say 'I can't tell the difference' without mentioning the items if they are already known.
Yes, it's a common synonym, especially for visual things.
No, it's a very common A2-level phrase.
No, the phrase is fixed.
Yes: 'I couldn't tell the difference.'
Yes, it's very common in dialogue.
No, it's standard in all English-speaking countries.
You can say 'I can't tell the difference' or 'They look the same to me.'
Related Phrases
Tell apart
synonymTo distinguish between two things.
Make a difference
contrastTo have an impact.
Distinguish between
similarTo recognize as distinct.
See the difference
similarTo perceive the difference.
