Vs.

The English language has no shortage of words that sound similar but mean very different things, as well as words that have similar meanings with a few vital distinctions. This is especially true in the professional world.

From tax forms to industry terms to college degrees, professional jargon can quickly become foggy. To help with this, we’ve put together this series of guides designed to help walk you through the differences between common terms.

In our Vs. articles, you’ll learn:

The differences between terms like proceeds and profits or intercompany and intracompany.
The differences between tax forms like W-2s and W-9s.
The similarities and differences between similar jobs such as financial advisors and financial planners or botanists and horticulturalists.
The differences between character traits like confidence and arrogance.

Vs. Highlighted Articles

CAPM Vs. PMP: What’s The Difference?

Proceeds Vs. Profits: What’s The Difference?

There are many terms in finance and business that get tossed around without any real explanation as to what they mean. Both proceeds and profits have to do with money made from sales and other transactions, but what’s the difference between the two? Profits are the money made minus the cost of the goods sold. […]

Formal Assessment Vs. Informal Assessment: What’s The Difference?

Every student and former student is familiar with the idea of assessments. For most of us, it brings up dreaded memories of tests and essays and that feeling of being judged on what we could memorize in time. While that is a type of assessment, it isn’t the only way that teachers assess whether or […]

Ph.D. Vs. MD: What’s The Difference?

For individuals looking to pursue a doctorate, most are faced with the decision between PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy) or MDs (Doctor of Medicine) degrees. These two may seem similar in nature, but there are key differences it’s important to understand before you pursue either one. Depending on your professional goals, one may suit you better […]

Dual Degree Vs. Double Major: What’s The Difference?

For students who are equally interested in two fields of study, they can choose to pursue either a double major or a dual degree depending on their academic and future professional goals. Although these sound like the same thing, there are differences between the two which we’ll discuss below. Double majors are typically available only […]

Inbound vs. Outbound: What’s The Difference?

A company’s marketing strategy can arguably be one of the most important things that contribute to sales success for a business. When discussing your company’s marketing strategy, you may hear terms like inbound or outbound marketing. Many marketers have preferences when it comes to these two strategies, depending on their goals. Because these two concepts […]

Master’s Vs. Ph.D.: What’s The Difference?

Most people have a pretty solid understanding of what a bachelor’s degree is, but master’s degrees and Ph.D.s can often be fuzzier for many. In this article, we’ll go over each of these degrees and what each one entails. Key Takeaways: Master’s Degree Ph.D. A master’s degree takes about one to three years to obtain. […]

W-9 Vs. W-2: What’s The Difference?

When it comes to hiring people, there is no shortage of official forms you have to fill out. Two of these are W-9s and W-2s, and there is often a lot of confusion surrounding the differences between them. In this article, we’ll go over both of these IRS forms and what their similarities and differences […]

Public Sector Vs. Private Sector: What’s The Difference?

There are pros and cons to choosing a job in the private sector as opposed to the public sector. When deciding what type of career you want, it’s important to consider whether it’s likely to fall in the private sector or public sector – and whether or not it may cross over. The two terms […]

Financial Advisor Vs. Financial Planner: What’s The Difference?

Finance and money management have a tendency to take on a mystical quality. While it’s true that it’s complex and there are (multiple) degrees that you can get, that doesn’t mean that every aspect of it is hard to understand. Most people will eventually turn to someone for advice on how to manage their finances. […]

Objective Data Vs. Subjective Data: What’s The Difference?

Both subjective data and objective data are used in many different fields, most often in statistical analysis. But it can be used in medicine, particularly nursing, sociology, and many other sciences. That being said, you may be wondering what exactly the difference between the two is and what counts as which. The differences between subjective […]

Stipend Vs. Salary: What’s The Difference?

There are several different ways that employees and other workers get paid. The best-known ones are salary and wages, but stipends are another specific type of pay. The exact differences between them and how to categorize each type of payment can get a bit confusing. First of all, a stipend and a salary aren’t the […]

Private College Vs. Public College: What’s The Difference?

Going to college is a major decision in and of itself, but once you do decide to go, you then have to decide where to go. The United States has approximately 5,300 colleges and universities, which can easily lead to choice paralysis as well. Every college is different, and it’s unlikely this article will help […]

Transactional Leadership Vs. Transformational Leadership: What’s The Difference?

Leadership and different ways to lead are major debates in the business world. There are a lot of classes, seminars, and books written on leadership and leadership styles, showing that there’s a lack of general consensus. When it comes to running a department in a business or other organization, however, there are two major types […]

Confidence Vs. Arrogance: What’s The Difference?

Most people know that being confident and arrogant are two different things. However, arrogance is usually born out of a sense of too much confidence. So, when exactly does confidence tip into arrogance? And is being a bit arrogant altogether a bad thing? Confidence is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a feeling or consciousness of one’s […]

SQL Vs. MySQL: What’s The Difference?

Despite their extremely similar names, SQL (Structured Query Language) and MySQL are very different things. Both are used in programming and database languages; however, their uses are very different. It is logical that their names would be similar; however, MySQL was built using SQL, while SQL is a type of query language that MySQL uses […]

Exogenous Vs. Endogenous: What’s The Difference?

The terms exogenous and endogenous have two different major definitions. One is used in statistics and refers to exogenous and endogenous variables, and the other is in medicine. The words have similar meanings in both contexts; however, their exact definition ends up being different. In statistics, there are endogenous variables and exogenous variables. To get […]

Interpolation Vs. Extrapolation: What’s The Difference?

Statistics tend to take on a mystical quality for most people, meaning that the concepts seem beyond reach. For most of it, that isn’t true – the basic concepts and ideas behind statistics aren’t complex. And the more you know about them, the harder it is for someone to use them to deceive or mislead […]

Income Vs. Revenue: What’s The Difference?

The business world has no shortage of industry-specific terms, and two of these are income and revenue. While they may seem interchangeable, they actually have two very different meanings, and it’s important to know the difference when you’re dealing with your business’s finances. In this article, we’ll explain what income is, what revenue is, and […]

Salary Vs. Wage: What’s The Difference?

There are a lot of different terms surrounding payroll and employee compensation, and two of these are “salary” and “wage.” These terms are often used interchangeably, and while they do have some crossover in a few contexts, they actually refer to two different pay structures. In this article, we’ll cover what a salary is, what […]

Executive Producer Vs. Producer: What’s The Difference?

Have you ever watched a movie, noted that they credit both producers and executive producers, and wondered: what’s the difference? What makes someone an executive producer rather than just a producer? And what do producers do anyway? Clearly, they don’t act, set design, do costumes, do makeup, or do special effects. So what do they […]

Consumer Vs. Customer: What’s The Difference?

Economics, marketing, and business all have their own jargon. In some cases, they overlap, while in others, they’re quite specific. The terms consumer and customer are often used in the vernacular as being interchangeable, but that’s not quite true. There are differences between the two, even if, in most cases, it’s subtle. A customer is […]

Letter Of Interest Vs. Cover Letter: What’s The Difference?

So, you’re considering getting a new job. You’re weighing your options and are looking around at the companies you’d like to work for, all while polishing your resume. Now the question is: do I add a cover letter or letter of interest? Or do I need to add any sort of letter at all? In […]

Union Workers Vs. Nonunion Workers: What’s The Difference?

There has been a major debate for years about whether or not employees should unionize and why. Unions have, as a rule, lost power over the last few decades – especially in the south. There are numerous factors that contributed to this, but what we’re focused on here is what the differences are between union […]

Sociology Vs. Anthropology: What’s The Difference?

If you’re an individual interested in studying human social behavior within certain societies throughout time, pursuing a career in sociology or anthropology could be right for you. While both fields study human behavior, there are significant differences between the two that may impact your career-making decision. Anthropology examines a certain culture at the level of […]

Implicit Vs. Explicit Costs: What’s The Difference?

If you’re running a business, one of your primary goals will be to make a profit. In order to find out what your profit is, you must understand what implicit and explicit costs are and how they differ. You will deal with both types of costs while doing business and must use them to determine […]

Cover Letter Vs. Resume: What’s The Difference?

When applying for a new job, many employers require candidates to submit cover letters and resumes. These documents give you the opportunity to show off your personality, skills, qualifications, certifications, education, and experience. Your cover letter and resume are typically the first impressions an employer will get of who you are as a professional. In […]

Subjective Nursing Vs. Objective Nursing: What’s The Difference?

A significant part of a nurse’s job is collecting data on patients. This means that they have to gather, organize, and interpret different sources of information in order to know how to proceed with treatment and be sure of their diagnosis. Nurses have to consider how best to care for their patients and need to […]

High School Diploma Vs. GED: What’s The Difference?

During the 1940s, many young men were drafted into the military before they could finish high school. Instead of making them go back to school after they returned, the American Council on Education developed the General Educational Development (GED) test to give these men access to colleges and jobs that required a high school education. […]

Business Casual Vs. Business Professional: What’s The Difference?

Dress codes are notoriously confusing, and this goes for workplace dress codes as well. Some of the most common – and most commonly confused – workplace dress codes are business casual and business professional, and it’s important to know what to wear for each one. In this article, we’ll go over business casual and business […]

Absolute Advantage Vs. Comparative Advantage: What’s The Difference?

In the world of economics and international trade, absolute advantage and comparative advantage are crucial concepts to understand. Both provide businesses and countries with important information that helps them choose how they wish to divide resources for particular goods and services. However, these concepts serve different purposes. Luckily, to find out more about all of […]

Sample Vs. Population: What’s The Difference?

Understanding greater trends among a group of people (especially consumers) can be vital for progression. For instance, a company that wants to improve reception toward its products would benefit from understanding what consumers think of a said product. However, collecting en masse requires surveys and other data collection. And knowing the difference between a sample […]

Judging Vs. Prospecting: What’s The Difference?

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types can be helpful for figuring out why you – and others around you – think and behave the way you do. The MBTI system uses combinations of letters to differentiate between the 16 personality types they’ve come up with, and two of these letters are J and P, […]

Gross Sales Vs. Net Sales: What’s The Difference?

Business and accounting, like all specialties, have their jargon and technical terms. Many business terms are used regularly, but it isn’t always clear what they mean – or even if they’re being used properly. This is partially true in a situation like gross sales and net sales. It’s clear that they’re different calculations of sales, […]

Accountability Vs. Responsibility: What’s The Difference?

Accountability and responsibility are often used almost interchangeably in everyday conversation. That may lead you to wonder if they’re synonymous or if there are acute differences between the two words. There is a great deal of overlap between the two, but as with all words in the English language, there are different connotations when one […]

Amortization Vs. Depreciation: What’s The Difference?

While amortization sounds like a term in the funerary industry, it’s actually a business and accounting term, like depreciation. Both have to do with how a business determines its value and categorizes its assets. Amortization and depreciation relate to assets that a company owns and the value derived from them. The difference between them is […]

FIFO Vs. LIFO: What’s The Difference?

Both first in, first out (FIFO) and last in, last out (LIFO) are inventory practices. They’re most often put in their acronym forms, which makes them difficult to tell apart. But even when they aren’t, you may wonder: What exactly does that mean? How does inventory management even work? The main reason to select one […]

Revenue Vs. Sales: What’s The Difference?

Finance and accounting are complex fields with their own terminology and regulations. A business’s sales and revenue fit into this category. You may wonder – aren’t sales how you generate revenue? Or is there more to this? Revenue is defined by Merriam-Webster as either “the total income produced by a given source” or “the gross […]

Vertical Integration Vs. Horizontal Integration: What’s The Difference?

Both vertical integration and horizontal integration are types of business consolidation strategies. While the terms sound abstract, they’re actually descriptive of the process, which means that once they’re explained to you, it isn’t difficult to remember which is which. Companies can take one of two tracks (or both of them, if they have enough capital) […]

Proactive Behavior Vs. Reactive Behavior: What’s The Difference?

The ability to be proactive is often hailed as a virtue without really ever explaining what it is or how to go about it. Merriam-Webster defines proactive as “acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes.” So, more or less, it means that you’re able to plan ahead. Reactive, on the other hand, is […]

Part-Time Vs. Full-Time: What’s The Difference?

While most Americans think of a full-time job as working 40 hours a week, the differences between full-time and part-time aren’t legally defined – at least, not federally. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does define a full-time job as someone who works 30 or more hours per week; however, that only relates to whether or […]

1099 Vs. W-9 Tax Forms: What’s The Difference?

Both 1099s and W-9s are income tax-related forms that the IRS requires to be filled out. As with most things related to taxes and the IRS, exactly what each form does and why it needs to be completed and sent in aren’t always clear. Therefore, you may wonder: what exactly is the difference between a […]

Observational Study Vs. Experimental Study: What’s The Difference?

While the majority of us are familiar with the idea of an experiment or an observation in the vernacular, you may wonder if it’s any different in scientific jargon. The short answer is no; however, there is more specificity to it in terms of scientific studies. Merriam-Webster has several different definitions for the word observation, […]

OLTP Vs. OLAP: What’s The Difference?

Both online transaction processing systems (OLTP) and online analytical processing systems (OLAP) are used for categorizing and processing data. However, despite their similar names and general purpose, they’re actually quite different. With just the acronyms OLTP and OLAP, it’s very easy to get them confused and not see the differences between the two of them. […]

Reoccurring Vs. Recurring: What’s The Difference?

Similar words have been confusing English speakers for as long as we’ve had any sort of dictionary – likely before. However, once a word was defined, it was much easier to argue that someone was using it incorrectly than before the words were written down. In the case of reoccurring and recurring, the difference is […]

Judging Vs. Perceiving: What’s The Difference?

Many are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or the MBTI. This self-report inventory is designed to identify a person’s personality type, strengths, and preferences. One of the more common references is the judging and perceiving dichotomy, which describes how an individual organizes their world. Sometimes referred to as the fourth preference pair, this describes […]

Linear Vs. Nonlinear: What’s The Difference?

In math classes, we learn about different types of equations that can help us in our everyday life. Linear and non-linear equations are statements used for varying statistical procedures which produce different results. Depending on your career, you may use linear or nonlinear equations to understand certain data points. Mathematical equations are utilized in a […]

Licensed Practical Nurse Vs. Registered Nurse: What’s The Difference?

If you’re interested in getting started in the nursing field, you may be wondering about the different nuances of nursing careers. One of the most common questions surrounds the differences between Licensed Practical Nurses, or LPNs, and Registered Nurses, also known as RNs. The demand for healthcare continues to rise. Nursing is an ideal career […]

Tactics Vs. Strategy: What’s The Difference?

The terms tactics and strategy are used a lot in business environments (along with their adjective forms, tactical and strategic), but often without any real context. Due to the nature of the words, they’re not always used correctly, either, further confusing the issue. Both words originally come from military terminology. They’re two different important parts […]

Not For Profit Organization Vs. Nonprofit Organization: What’s The Difference?

While nonprofit and not-for-profit sound like they’re interchangeable, they actually aren’t. If your group is labeled either a nonprofit organization or a not-for-profit organization, it means different things in terms of taxes and organizational structure. There is a fair amount of overlap between the two, and not all of the rules are hard and fast. […]

Boss Vs. Leader: What’s The Difference?

While the words boss and leader have similar definitions, the meaning isn’t exactly the same. A lot of this is connotation, which means that it’s how the words are used in the vernacular, as opposed to denotation, which is their strict dictionary definition. Generally speaking, one would call someone in a position of authority a […]

Weighted GPA Vs. Unweighted GPA: What’s The Difference?

Almost everyone is familiar with a GPA, even if it’s just back from your high school days. GPA is the abbreviation of grade point average, which is calculated from what grades you got in all of your various classes. However, your GPA by itself may not tell the whole story. That’s where the idea of […]

Computer Science Vs. Computer Engineering: What’s The Difference?

At most universities, there are degrees offered in both computer science and computer engineering. In addition, many technology companies have positions for both computer scientists and computer engineers. That begs the question, though, of what exactly the difference is between the two. Students in both programs are educated on computers and computing, so aren’t the […]

INFJ Vs. INFP Personality Types: What’s The Difference?

Both introversion, intuition, feeling, judging (INFJ) and introversion, intuition, feeling, perceiving (INFP) are personality types from the Myers-Briggsy type indicator. There are 16 personality types altogether, made up of the traits determined by how you score on the test. The main types are extroversion (E) versus introversion (I), sensing (S) as opposed to intuition (N), […]

Semimonthly Vs. Biweekly Payroll: What’s The Difference?

Different employers will have different payroll schedules, and you may wonder exactly what the differences and pros and cons are. The most typical schedules are weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between a semimonthly and a biweekly payroll. The most obvious difference is that a semimonthly payroll is paid […]

Margin Account Vs. Cash Account: What’s The Difference?

Both margin accounts and cash accounts are types of accounts used by investors. They both are used for buying, selling, and lending stocks. If you’re planning to get into investing, then it’s important to understand the differences between the two. The names of the accounts are actually quite descriptive, which makes them easy to remember […]

Graduate Vs. Undergraduate: What’s The Difference?

If you’ve gone to college, you’ve no doubt thought about the idea of getting a graduate degree. But getting a degree is a lot of work (and expensive), making the process a big investment – in more ways than one. However, you may be wondering what the exact difference is. And why are they divided […]

APR Vs. APY: What’s The Difference?

Both APR and APY are used to describe the interest you’ll pay on a loan or the interest you’ll make on a loan, in the case of opening a bank account. Finance is a complicated field. It’s made even more so by the fact that banks and those who hand out loans are always looking […]

Type One Error Vs. Type Two Error: What’s The Difference?

Type one errors and type two errors are both statistical terms that denote coming to the wrong conclusion based on misinterpreting the data. Both stem out of hypothesis testing and how the basis of that is formed. In order to understand what exactly makes a type one error or a type two error, you have […]

Elastic Demand Vs. Inelastic Demand: What’s The Difference?

While you may have heard the terms elastic and inelastic in reference to economics or a market, it isn’t always clear what it means. Most everyone thinks of elastic as something that you add to clothes to make them stretch, but it also has a different meaning: changeable. That is the definition that is used […]

Discrete Data Vs. Continuous Data: What’s The Difference?

Discrete and continuous are both terms that are used in data processing in order to describe different sets of data and variables. Both are quantitative or numerical data, meaning that they are represented with numbers and can be processed mathematically. Statistics and data processing have a tendency to take on an air of mystique, but […]

Parameter Vs. Statistic: What’s The Difference?

Statistics and research have their own jargon and technical terms, and they’ve taken on an aspect of mysticism, making people believe they’re hard to understand. Most of the basic concepts, however, like the difference between a parameter and a statistic, aren’t complex once they’ve been explained to you. Parameter and statistic are both statistical terms […]

Histogram Vs. Bar Graph: What’s The Difference?

Both histograms and bar graphs are used to display data visually. Not only that, but both visual representations use a series of bars to convey the information, making it difficult to tell which is which. Most people are familiar with a bar graph, but histograms are less common. That being said, it’s entirely possible that […]

President Vs. CEO: What’s The Difference?

Both the president and chief executive officer (often abbreviated to CEO) hold high-level positions in corporations. It’s not always clear what each person in each role does and who reports to whom. Therefore, you may be wondering: what is the difference? Is there a difference? Or do the titles overlap? Yes, there is a difference […]

Stakeholder Vs. Shareholder: What’s The Difference?

Both stakeholders and shareholders have a vested interest in what a company does and its profits. The similarities in names and the fact they’re both affected by the company’s performance can lead to the terms being used interchangeably. However, the fact of the matter is that the two aren’t the same and have a vested […]

Sociology Vs. Psychology: What’s The Difference?

Sociology and psychology are often put together, either in a dual degree or in terms of research. That may lead you to wonder: is one a subset of the other? Are the disciplines linked somehow? The short answer is NO. Sociology and psychology are different fields of study. There is some overlap between the two […]

Midwife Vs. Obstetrician-Gynecologist: What’s The Difference?

Everyone knows that both midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists (sometimes abbreviated as ob-gyn) deliver babies, but the exact difference between them may not be clear. After all, both of them are trained in pregnancy care, childbirth, and postpartum, along with being experts in women’s health. The short answer is that obstetrician-gynecologists are medical doctors, while midwives aren’t. […]

W-2 Vs. W-4 Tax Forms: What’s The Difference?

Both W-2 and W-4 are income tax-related forms that the IRS requires to be filled out. As with most things related to taxes and the IRS, exactly what each form does and why it needs to be completed and sent in aren’t always clear. Therefore, you may wonder: what exactly is the difference between a […]

Front End Developer vs. Back End Developer: What’s The Difference?

Programming has long had an air of mystery about it, making it difficult to know what different types of development terms are and the different roles in the industry. Front-end development and back-end development are no different. You may well wonder at the designations. What is a front end? A back end? Do they mean […]

Director Vs. Manager: What’s The Difference?

It’s well known that both managers and directors are higher-ups in an organizational structure. But what isn’t always clear is exactly what each term means. Is director just a fancy way to say manager? Or is it actually a different role? To answer concisely: yes, a director is a different role. While English tends to […]

Professor Vs. Associate Professor: What’s The Difference?

Becoming a professor is a long process that involves a lot of work and a bit of luck. As you can guess, there are several stages that an aspiring professor has to go through before becoming a full-fledged professor. It’s clear that an associate professor is different from a full professor. But you may wonder: […]

Program Manager Vs. Project Manager: What’s The Difference?

Both roles are high levels of management, which makes it easy to confuse the two. However, program managers and project managers have different responsibilities and goals. So, you may be wondering: what exactly is the difference? The best way to explain it is to articulate how a program and a project differ from one another. […]

Chef Vs. Cook: What’s The Difference?

The terms chef and cook are often used interchangeably in the vernacular, but they don’t actually mean the same thing. There is indeed a lot of overlap between the two positions, which can lead to confusion. After all, both prepare food for a living; both work in a kitchen; both are skilled in the culinary […]

EMT Vs. Paramedic: What’s The Difference?

The titles EMT and paramedic are often used interchangeably in the vernacular, which may lead you to wonder: what’s the difference? Is there a difference? There is, in fact, a distinction between the two of them, but they work in the same field doing similar duties, making it not obvious. Both EMTs and paramedics are […]

Validity Vs. Reliability: What’s The Difference?

The difference between validity and reliability is important in research, testing, and statistical analysis. Both are used to determine how well a test measures something, but the two of them tell you different things about your test. Validity is all about accuracy in your measurements, while reliability determines consistency. Ideally, you want your equipment to […]

Product Manager Vs. Project Manager: What’s The Difference?

Both of these roles are high-level management positions with many of the same responsibilities and duties, so you may wonder: what exactly is the difference between them? Is it just a matter of title or specialization? While it’s easy enough to misread one title as the other, that doesn’t make them interchangeable. Product managers and […]

Supervisor Vs. Manager: What’s The Difference?

As both supervisors and managers have managerial roles, you may be wondering: what’s the difference between the two? Are the terms interchangeable? The short answer is: no, supervisors and managers aren’t the same. The exact differences between them are going to depend on where you work and the exact nature of their duties. However, there […]

Data Analyst Vs. Data Scientist: What’s The Difference?

As stated in the job titles, data analysts and data scientists work with data. Data is becoming a more and more important commodity in the business world, and demand for those who are experts in its categorization and interpretation is in high demand. What isn’t immediately apparent, however, is what exactly the difference between a […]

Product Owner Vs. Product Manager: Understanding The Difference

In many cases, the terms product owner and product manager are used interchangeably. However, there are key differences between the two careers. Therefore, if you’re a current or prospective marketing worker looking to fill an advanced role, you might be curious about the difference between product owners and product managers. After all, even though the […]

Software Developer Vs. Software Engineer: Understanding The Difference

Computer science is an important and growing industry that provides services for companies all over the world. With that in mind, not all computer science positions are the same. Therefore, if you’re a current or prospective computer science worker, you might be wondering what the difference is between software developers and software engineers. After all, […]

Data Engineers Vs. Data Scientists: Understanding The Difference

As companies put an even greater focus on generating, collecting, and analyzing data as a way of streamlining and improving their business, jobs like Data Engineers and Data Scientists will continue to be in high demand. In fact, these types of jobs are expected to grow by at least 22% between 2020-2030. Therefore, if you’re […]

Architect Vs. Engineer

The main differences between architects and engineers are: Architects focus primarily on building design, whereas engineers can be found in all types of industries. Architects focus strictly on the creative design and implementation of building construction, while engineers involved in construction focus on the scientific principles, safety regulations, and practicality of the project. Construction is […]