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Yanx Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

how much of a difference...?

Hi,

Is there any subtle difference between "How much of a difference is there between...?" and "What's the difference between...?" as in the following sentence?

How much of a difference is there in nutritional value between the two vegetables?

What's the difference in nutritional value between the two vegetables?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

The first sentence can be thought to suppose that there is a difference. There is a difference, but how much? The first asks for quantification, and the second asks for generalities.

— Enoon

  • The first sentence can be thought to suppose that there is a difference.
  • There is a difference, but how much?
  • The first asks for quantification, and the second asks for generalities.
  • That's about it, and the nuance is quite slight.
  • The nutritional difference might be zero in either case, and I would expect the same answer from both questions.
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2 Answers
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The first sentence can be thought to suppose that there is a difference. There is a difference, but how much? The first asks for quantification, and the second asks for generalities. That's about it, and the nuance is quite slight. The nutritional difference might be zero in either case, and I would expect the same answer from both questions.
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enoonThe first sentence can be thought to suppose that there is a difference. There is a difference, but how much? The first asks for quantification, and the second asks for generalities. That's about it, and the nuance is quite slight. The nutritional difference might be zero in either case, and I would expect the same answer from both questions.
Thanks very
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