as different as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as different as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent of difference between two or more things. Example: "When comparing the two proposals, we need to ensure they are as different as possible to evaluate their unique strengths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The Wire" is determined to be as different as possible from "Law and Order," "C.S.I".

The New York Times

The key is to be as different as possible without being just plain weird.

The Washington Post

So others try to prove themselves by being as different as possible.

The Economist

Apart from that I like my stories exciting and as different as possible from the one I wrote last time".

The Guardian - Books

3. Once again, the festival will present dance companies that are just about as different as possible.

The New York Times - Arts

The couple planned to move to something as different as possible — a brand-new luxury high-rise building.

The New York Times

It changes it to be as different as possible from that of the previous male on the territory.

Cornell University

Van Zandt decided that the key to his new career was to be as different as possible from his real self.

The Guardian

She lived a life now that was as different as possible from the life of the public, vivacious, concerned, endlessly well-informed woman she had been.

The New Yorker

It would be severe but not wholly inaccurate to say that Mourinho's strategy is to be as different as possible from the Italian.

The Guardian - Sport

"The Wire" is determined to be as different as possible from "Law and Order," "C.S.I". and all the other network police dramas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as different as possible" to clearly indicate a deliberate effort to maximize the dissimilarity between options or elements, ensuring the context emphasizes intention.

Common error

Avoid using "as different as possible" when a simple 'different' suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnatural or forced in situations where a nuanced comparison isn't necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as different as possible" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize the degree of difference. It suggests a deliberate attempt to maximize dissimilarity. Ludwig's examples show its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as different as possible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that functions as an intensifying adjective phrase to emphasize a deliberate effort to maximize dissimilarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using "as different as possible", ensure that it adds meaningful emphasis and isn't simply a redundant addition to a basic comparison. Consider alternative phrases like ""entirely different"" or ""diametrically opposed"" to refine your writing and to communicate the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as dissimilar as feasible

Replaces 'possible' with 'feasible', focusing on practicality rather than theoretical limit.

distinct to the greatest extent

Emphasizes the degree of distinction.

as unalike as can be

Emphasizes the contrast using a more colloquial expression.

in stark contrast

Emphasizes a strong and obvious difference.

diametrically opposed

Suggests opposition on a conceptual or measurable scale.

as contrasting as imaginable

Highlights the difference by linking it to imagination.

poles apart

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme difference.

worlds apart

Uses a spatial metaphor to describe the degree of difference.

entirely different

Focuses on completeness of the difference rather than maximization.

bearing no resemblance

Focuses on the lack of similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "as different as possible" in a sentence?

Use "as different as possible" to emphasize a deliberate effort to create maximum contrast between things. For example, "The director wanted the two main characters to be "as different as possible" to highlight their conflicting ideologies."

What are some alternatives to "as different as possible"?

Alternatives include "entirely different", "diametrically opposed", or "bearing no resemblance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify "as possible" when describing differences?

No, specifying "as possible" is only necessary when you want to emphasize that the difference is maximized or intentionally created to be very large. Otherwise, "different" alone is sufficient.

Which is correct: "as different as possible" or "as different as can be"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""as different as possible"" is generally considered more formal and versatile for various writing contexts, while "as unalike as can be" is more colloquial.