Inglese

distinguish

gb/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/ us/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/
B1 Inglese
~ 2300
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Verbo B1 action
1

Recognize differences between things

To see or show how things or people are different.

Schema d'uso: to distinguish between [A] and [B]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes omit 'between' when comparing two things, saying 'distinguish A and B' instead of 'distinguish between A and B'.
Sinonimi
differentiate (More formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.) | tell apart (More informal; commonly used in everyday speech.)
Contrari
confuse (Means to mistake one thing for another instead of recognizing differences.)
Collocazioni
distinguish clearly |distinguish easily |distinguish between |hard to distinguish |distinguish features
Temi
thinking |communication |daily life |core_vocabulary
Esempi
  • It's sometimes hard to distinguish between real and fake news.
  • Can you distinguish the twins from each other?
  • The teacher could easily distinguish the students who had studied from those who hadn't.
Esempi per chi studia
  • I can distinguish my bag from yours.
  • She can distinguish the two colors.
  • It is hard to distinguish the twins.
Verbo B2 action
2

Make something seem special or different

To make someone or something special or different from others.

Schema d'uso: to distinguish [someone/something] from [others]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'recognize differences', but here the subject causes the difference, not observes it.
Sinonimi
set apart (Informal; emphasizes the difference as unique or notable.) | differentiate (Formal; can imply a deliberate act of making something different.)
Contrari
blend in (Means to appear similar to others so as not to be noticed.)
Collocazioni
distinguish oneself |distinguish by |distinguish feature |distinguish mark
Temi
personal qualities |business |arts |communication |core_vocabulary
Esempi
  • Her creative writing distinguishes her from other students.
  • The company distinguishes itself by offering excellent customer service.
  • A strong sense of ethics distinguishes great leaders.
Esempi per chi studia
  • Good service can distinguish a shop from others.
  • Her voice distinguishes her from other singers.
  • He distinguished himself in the race.
Verbo formal B2 action
3

Perceive something clearly

To see, hear, or know something clearly, even if it is not easy.

Schema d'uso: to distinguish [something] in/from [background/context]
Sinonimi
discern (Formal; often used for careful observation or judgment.)
Contrari
overlook (Means to fail to notice something that is there.)
Collocazioni
distinguish details |distinguish shapes |distinguish sounds
Temi
perception |nature |body |core_vocabulary
Esempi
  • In the fog, we could barely distinguish the outline of the mountain.
  • She could distinguish his voice from across the noisy room.
  • From this distance, it's hard to distinguish any details.
Esempi per chi studia
  • I can distinguish his voice in the crowd.
  • She can distinguish the shape of the boat in the fog.
  • It is hard to distinguish the road in the dark.
Grammatica
Forma base
distinguish
IPA
GB/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/
US/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ/
Sillabe e accento
dis - tin - guish (3 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tin)
Forme flesse
Verb
  • Base: distinguish
  • 3rd Person Singular: distinguishes
  • Present Participle: distinguishing
  • Past: distinguished
Famiglia di parole
Forms
distinguishes verb distinguishing verb distinguished verb
Core family
distinction noun B2 distinct adjective B2 distinctive adjective B2 distinctly adverb B1
Related words
distinguishable adjective distinctively adverb distinctiveness noun
Negative and opposite forms
indistinct adjective C1 indistinguishable adjective undistinguished adjective
Espressioni

distinguish between A and B

1
/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ bɪtwˈin ə ˈænd bˈi/
fixed phrase

Recognize differences between two things

To see how two things are not the same.

Esempi
  • It's important to distinguish between facts and opinions.
  • Can you distinguish between these two types of fabric?

distinguish oneself

1
/dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃ wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase

Do something that makes you stand out positively

To do something very well so that people notice you.

Esempi
  • She distinguished herself during the competition by her skill and determination.
  • He distinguished himself as a leader during the crisis.

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