Difference or differences?

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

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Facennagoss
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Difference or differences?

Post by Facennagoss »

I’ve just been penalised for failing to add an ‘s’ on difference but my sentence reads, ‘this helps the reader to understand the need for difference.’ The context being difference is humans. Was I incorrect in my spelling here?
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jgraney8
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Post by jgraney8 »

It might be clearer if you had written, "this helps the reader to understand the need for the difference." It is difficult to know the reason for the correction without more context. Does the context indicate more clearly you are writing about one difference?
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Facennagoss
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Post by Facennagoss »

Thank you for your response. Yes, it is clearly about one difference.
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fernsmom
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Post by fernsmom »

I believe the correct wording would be "differences". Unfortunately other than the way it sounds I can't state why. But I agree that if it had been one difference that the word "the" before it would have made more sense then, stressing that it was one "difference" in that scenario.
Aditi Sapate
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Post by Aditi Sapate »

Depends on whether it was one difference or many. In case of one difference, you could use 'the difference'. Whereas if there were many, you could say 'differences'.
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Post by Nikolas Farmakis »

I think your sentence is correct, and whoever penalised you was too harsh.
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MrsCatInTheHat
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Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

It should say either "the difference " or "differences."
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Amanda Deck
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Post by Amanda Deck »

If you're using 'difference' as a concept, it shouldn't have an 's', but it's true that it sounds odd.
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grace11cephas
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Post by grace11cephas »

Depending on the sentence you are constructing..The two can be used at different occasions for example;

We cannot get along easily just because of our differences.

We have much difference in our thinking.
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