Different From vs Different Than

Type your word here
Try:

What’s the difference between them?

Different From

Meaning:

not the same as

Examples:

1. His approach to the project was different from mine.

2. The movie was quite different from the book.

3. I'm looking for a job that is different from my current one.

Different Than

Meaning:

Different Than is not a valid phrase in English; the correct phrase is 'different from.'

Examples:

no examples

Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference

Synonyms

Antonyms

Different From

1. Discrepant

2. Contrasting

3. Divergent

4. Dissimilar

5. Varied

1. Identical to

2. Comparable to

3. Akin to

4. Same as

5. Alike to

Different Than

This word doesn't exist, so there are no synonyms for it.

This word doesn't exist, so there are no antonyms for it.

Tricks for mastery

Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Different From", "Different Than".

1. 'Different from' is a widely recognized phrase that means 'not the same as.'

2. 'Different than' is used in some regions, but most dictionaries treat it as incorrect.

3. Always rely on 'different from' since it's more widely accepted.

Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words

Frequently asked questions

When should 'different from' be used?

'Different from' should be used when comparing two items that are unrelated or do not have a basis for comparison. For example, one could say, 'This apple is different from that orange' since the two items are not related, and there is no basis for comparison.

When is the appropriate context for using the phrase 'different than'?

'Different than' should be avoided since this phrase is a common misspelling of 'different from.'

Do the two words share the same pronunciation?

No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The phrase 'different from' should be pronounced as 'di-fer-ent fr-Om' and the phrase 'different than' should be pronounced as 'di-fer-ent th-an'.

What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?

One of the most common mistakes people make when using these words is that they mix up which phrase to use in a sentence. It is important to remember that 'different from' should be used when comparing two items that are unrelated or do not have a basis for comparison, and 'different than' should be avoided.

Fill in the gaps to check yourself

1. I have a different opinion ___ the majority.

2. The movie was ___ the one I had expected.

3. Her behavior is ___ everyone elses.

4. His method was ___ what we had discussed.

5. We need to find a solution that is ___ the status quo.

6. These results are ___ those of the previous study.

1. different from

Explanation: This phrase is used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speakers opinion is being compared to the majoritys opinion, so the phrase different from is used.

2. Different from

Explanation: This phrase is also used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speaker is comparing the movie they saw to the one they had expected, so the phrase different from is used.

3. Different from

Explanation: This phrase is used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speaker is comparing the behavior of one person to the behavior of everyone else, so the phrase different from is used.

4. different from

Explanation: This phrase is used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speaker is comparing the method used to the one they had discussed, so the phrase different from is used.

5. Different from

Explanation: This phrase is used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speaker is comparing a prospective solution to the status quo, so the phrase different from is used.

6. Different from

Explanation: This phrase is used to compare two or more things. In this case, the speaker is comparing the results of the current study to the results of the previous study, so the phrase different from is used.

Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!

Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.

List of Commonly Confused Words

Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.