Differentiate / Distinguish

Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:

DIFFERENTIATE / DISTINGUISH

In the case of these two related verbs, differentiate means point out differences while distinguish means perceive or sense differences.

CORRECT: A zoologist who specializes in ichthyology can differentiate among many  species of fish.

CORRECT: My father, who is tone deaf, cannot distinguish the various notes in the treble clef when music is played; he only gets the beat of the bass.

© 2023 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

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