be substantially different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be substantially different from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more items, indicating that they have significant differences in characteristics or qualities. Example: "The new product design must be substantially different from the previous version to attract a new customer base."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our empirical results reveal that the unidimensional rankings for different criteria might differ significantly and that the multidimensional ranking of some models could be substantially different from their unidimensional rankings, which highlights the importance of the proposed performance evaluation tool.

Energy Economics

"Originally, we didn't think this vaccine would be substantially different from the old one".

The New York Times

For this reason, ferroelectric thin films generally exhibit characteristics that may be substantially different from their bulk counterparts.

Acta Materialia

Having an MBA does not mean an automatic promotion, nor does it mean that your work will be substantially different from that of other employees.

Harvard Business Review

That you confirm the deal before the House of Commons is dead and that the revised proposal will be substantially different from today?

The Guardian

However, no studies have examined the QoL of Arab parents whose parenting experience is expected to be substantially different from that of their western counterparts.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

If oil is not completely dissolved in water, the chemical composition of the dissolved oil may be substantially different from that of the original oil.

Developments in Petroleum Science

Mr. Vajpayee has already made clear that his approach this time will be substantially different from his two previous attempts at peace, which were initiated with high-profile summit meetings.

The New York Times

The topic must be substantially different from the topic of the Ph.D. thesis; i.e., it should not be the same method applied to a different problem, or a different method applied to the same problem.

Stanford University

Reported initial motivations for trying insect foods are shown to be substantially different from factors – such as price, taste, availability, and 'fit' with established eating practices – which affect repeat consumption.

Appetite

The overall quality of the evidence, for both outcomes (prevention and treatment), was therefore considered to be low, indicating that the true effect of CT may be substantially different from that estimated across the included studies.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be substantially different from" to emphasize significant distinctions between two or more subjects, ensuring the contrast is clear and meaningful. For example, 'The revised policy will be substantially different from its predecessor.'

Common error

Avoid using "be substantially different from" when the variations are only superficial or minor. Reserve this phrase for cases where the differences are truly significant and impactful to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be substantially different from" functions as a comparative descriptor, highlighting a significant degree of dissimilarity between two or more entities. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application across diverse fields, emphasizing notable distinctions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be substantially different from" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to underscore significant dissimilarities. Ludwig's analysis confirms its wide applicability across academic, scientific, news, and business domains. With a high expert rating and a neutral to formal register, it's a reliable choice for clearly conveying notable distinctions. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase is suitable for emphasising how distinct items are, in both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the differences are truly substantial to avoid overstating minor variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be substantially distinct from

Replaces 'different' with 'distinct', emphasizing the clear separation of the two things being compared.

be dramatically different from

Suggests a sudden or striking change resulting in a large difference.

be drastically different from

Conveys a severe or extreme level of difference.

be markedly different from

Emphasizes that the difference is easily noticeable or distinct.

be vastly different from

Indicates an enormous or immense difference.

be greatly different from

Highlights the magnitude of the difference.

be appreciably different from

Indicates a difference that is noticeable or measurable, but perhaps not as drastic as 'substantially'.

be considerably different from

Focuses on the extent or degree of difference.

be noticeably different from

Highlights that the difference is easily observed.

look substantially different from

Specifically refers to a visual difference, whereas the original phrase can apply to other characteristics as well.

FAQs

How can I use "be substantially different from" in a sentence?

Use "be substantially different from" to highlight significant distinctions. For example, "The new model is expected to "be substantially different from" the previous one in terms of performance and features."

What phrases are similar to "be substantially different from"?

Similar phrases include "be markedly different from", "be significantly different from", and "be considerably different from". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and emphasizes the degree of difference.

Is it appropriate to use "be substantially different from" in formal writing?

Yes, "be substantially different from" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly and professionally conveys that there are significant differences between the items being compared.

What's the difference between "be substantially different from" and "be slightly different from"?

"Be substantially different from" indicates major, noticeable differences, while "be slightly different from" suggests only minor variations. The choice depends on the actual degree of difference you wish to convey.