at a different sort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a different sort" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in meaning, making it difficult to determine its intended use. Example: "We need to look at a different sort of solution to this problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And it aims at a different sort of consumer.

The New York Times - Tech

But he is taking aim at a different sort: those at the older and younger end of the spectrum.

The New York Times

"To put it bluntly, why do it for £9,000 a head at an institution that was trying to be global or at least national, when you could better off at a different sort of institution for a lower cost?

The Guardian

To paraphrase the slogan of Roach Motel, a brand of traps aimed at a different sort of insect pest, bed bugs check in, but they don't check out.The new trap could be used both to assess whether a hotel room or apartment is infested and also to kill the insects without dousing everything in insecticide which is, in any case, an increasingly futile exercise, as many have now evolved resistance.

The Economist

According to co-founder Daniele Pelleri in an email interview, AppsBuilder is aimed at a different sort of crowd, owing to its low technical barrier to entry.

TechCrunch

I'm kind of proud to be at a different sort of Jewish institution, one that casts the widest net and says to all that the sandbox is plenty big enough for everyone to play.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The morale of programed personnel may be of less central concern because less (or at least a different sort of) productivity will be demanded of them.

Harvard Business Review

Landis is better at describing a different sort of ache: the uncertainty of deciding when and how to swap out a painful-but-still-usable body part.

The New York Times - Magazine

"What we're looking at is a different sort of participation than we've had in the past," said Gulati, an economics instructor at Columbia University.

Los Angeles Times

meeting was overshadowed at times by a different sort of problem that economists warn could also hurt growth in Asia: the region's many territorial disputes.

The New York Times

At Sandy Hook Elementary School, in a different sort of storm, teachers were huddled in similar spaces, telling children to be as quiet as they could.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "at a different sort", opt for the more grammatically sound and widely accepted phrases such as "of a different kind" or "of a different type".

Common error

Avoid using "at a different sort" as it is not standard English. Using this phrase can make your writing sound unnatural and potentially confuse your reader. Always double-check your phrasing for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while attempting to function as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun by describing its different nature, falls short due to its non-standard grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at a different sort" appears in some contexts, particularly in News & Media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI notes, it's not standard English. For clearer and more effective communication, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "of a different kind" or "of a different type". These alternatives maintain the intended meaning while adhering to established grammatical conventions. Although authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use the phrase, sticking to grammatically sound options ensures greater clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Of a different kind

Replaces the phrase with a more grammatically standard expression using "kind" instead of "sort".

Of a different type

Substitutes "sort" with "type", creating a more common and accepted phrase.

A different variety

Uses "variety" to convey the idea of something being distinct, providing a slight variation in wording.

Another category

Focuses on the categorization aspect, implying something belongs to a separate group.

A contrasting form

Highlights the contrast between two things, suggesting a clear difference in their forms.

A separate class

Emphasizes the distinct classification of something, indicating a formal separation.

A distinct nature

Focuses on the inherent characteristics that make something different.

A divergent style

Implies a difference in style or approach.

An alternative version

Suggests a different version or iteration of something.

A dissimilar nature

Highlights the lack of similarity in essence or character.

FAQs

How can I correctly phrase something that is "of a different sort"?

Instead of saying "of a different sort", use more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "of a different kind" or "of a different type". For example, "This requires a solution of a different kind".

Is "at a different sort" grammatically correct?

No, "at a different sort" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "of a different kind" or "of a different type".

What's the difference between "of a different sort" and "of a different kind"?

While "of a different sort" might be understood, "of a different kind" is the more common and grammatically preferred option. Both aim to express dissimilarity, but the latter is clearer and more widely accepted.

Can I use "at a different sort" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid using "at a different sort" in formal writing. Opt for more formal and grammatically sound alternatives like "of a different nature" or "a distinct category" to maintain a professional tone.