The world of a difference vs a world of difference

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

To a native speaker, is there any difference between:

  1. Before going to a job interview I had my unkempt hair cut and that made the world of a difference.
  2. Before going to a job interview I had my unkempt hair cut and that made a world of difference.

Thanks!

2

“A world of X” sounds right; “the world of a(n) X” sounds odd to me, but I believe some people (very few I think) might use it, with the same meaning. “A world of a(n) X” is also used, by a few people, same meaning - but “a world of X” is by far the most common phrase. I’d not be surprised if Bee called the other ones wrong (and I’d support that).

3

I agree with Cerberus, who obviously knows me so well :wink:

  1. is correct.
    Use of 1. wouldn’t make the world stop and stare at you in disgust, or amazement, but it isn’t right.
4

Hehe,

All right, I’m fully convinced now that only the second choice is right.

Thanks a lot for the help!

5

Hi Beee,
could you please explain the text in bold. I didn’t get it

Before going to a job interview I had my unkempt hair cut and that made a world of difference.

thanks in advance

Learner_2010

6

Hi,

Now that everyone has accepted that the usual expression is ‘a world of difference’, let’s go to the meaning. It is another way of saying a huge/an enormous difference.

Alan

7

Thank you very much

Alan