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Anonymous Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Distinguish

Hi,

John couldn't distinguish the good guy from the bad guy.

John couldn't distinguish between good guys and bad guys.

Are both forms okay?

Thanks.

  

Top answer

Yes, but I think I should mention that the formal "distinguish" does not sit comfortably with the almost childish "good/bad guys". "Tell the good guys from the bad guys" is the plain English.

— Anonymous

  • Yes, but I think I should mention that the formal "distinguish" does not sit comfortably with the almost childish "good/bad guys".
  • "Tell the good guys from the bad guys" is the plain English.
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2 Answers
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Yes, but I think I should mention that the formal "distinguish" does not sit comfortably with the almost childish "good/bad guys". "Tell the good guys from the bad guys" is the plain English.

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While 'distinguish' is OK, more often we use the idioms

tell X from Y

and

tell the difference between X and Y

CJ

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