certainly different than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly different than" is not considered standard in written English; "different from" or "different to" is preferred.
You can use it in informal contexts, but it's better to use the correct forms in formal writing. Example: "The results of the experiment were certainly different than what we expected."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Policing youth is certainly different than working with adults.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's certainly different than what a lot of people are accustomed to seeing.

The New York Times

"Fund-raising is certainly different than last time around in '07," Mr. Wolf said.

The New York Times

"The circumstances for today are different than they were in 2000, certainly different than they were in 1988," he said.

The Washington Post

The OSTPers would have stayed in touch and collaborated regardless of who won in November, but the specifics are certainly different than anticipated.

The Washington Post

"I think all these guys are going to have to change their games because their roles on their respective teams in the N.B.A. are certainly different than their roles here," said Brown, who is assisted by Gregg Popovich of San Antonio, Oliver Purnell of Clemson University and Roy Williams of the University of North Carolina.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"We have done extensive research into what happened more than 40 years ago," she said, "but have been unable to determine exactly what techniques were used in producing 'White Wilderness.' The standards and techniques were certainly different then than they are now".

The New York Times

"Manufacturing is certainly different today than it was even 10 years ago.

Forbes

I think it's more once these incidents happen, how we engage, how we adjudicate, the expectations of our legal system, are certainly different here than in China.

Vice

Their requirements are also almost certainly different and more demanding than Apple's off the shelf stuff.

TechCrunch

"You have to free your mind from the weight of such a series," said Hertha midfielder Peter Niemeyer, 27. "We're a different team to two or three years ago, and certainly different to the team of more than 30 years ago".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "certainly different than" is understood, favor using "certainly different from" or "certainly different to" in formal writing to align with standard English conventions.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly different than" in academic papers or professional reports. Opt for the more formally accepted alternatives to maintain a polished and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly different than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to emphasize that there is a distinct difference between two things, situations, or concepts. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly different than" is a commonly used phrase to express a notable distinction. While understandable, it's generally advisable to opt for "certainly different from" or "certainly different to", particularly in formal contexts. Ludwig's analysis, as well as the provided examples, demonstrate its prevalence across diverse sources, including news and media, and scientific articles. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not the preferred grammatical form and should be used with caution in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctly dissimilar to

Emphasizes a clear contrast and lack of resemblance.

undeniably unlike

Highlights the undeniable aspect of the difference.

assuredly not the same as

Focuses on the certainty that the two things being compared are not identical.

positively contrasts with

Stresses a firm and noticeable difference.

demonstrably varies from

Highlights that the difference can be shown or proven.

inarguably diverges from

Indicates an indisputable departure or deviation.

conspicuously deviates from

Focuses on how noticeable the departure is.

remarkably distinct from

Focuses on how striking the difference is.

decidedly disparate from

Emphasizes the fundamental difference and lack of commonality.

patently unalike

Stresses the obvious and evident nature of the difference.

FAQs

What's the best alternative to "certainly different than" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it's better to use "certainly different from" or "certainly different to". These alternatives are more widely accepted and grammatically standard.

Is "certainly different than" grammatically incorrect?

While commonly used, "certainly different than" is not considered the most grammatically correct option. Standard English prefers "different from" or "different to".

When is it okay to use "certainly different than"?

You can use "certainly different than" in informal conversations or casual writing where strict grammatical rules are less critical. However, in formal settings, it's advisable to use the alternatives.

How does the meaning change if I use "certainly different from" instead of "certainly different than"?

The meaning doesn't change. Both phrases convey the same comparative idea. The choice mainly depends on the context and the level of formality required.