completely different than

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely different than" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that two things are different in a way that couldn't be more so. For example: "The opinions I formed when I was a child were completely different than the opinions I have now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's completely different than a dot-org.

The New York Times - Food

This makes the design process completely different than the CPU.

Stanford University

"With Beefeater, the bottles are completely different than they were.

The New York Times - Food

"Coaching is completely different than playing," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"He played Saturday night completely different than against Belgium.

The New York Times

The format was completely different than what I was used to.

Stanford University

Being inside the museum was completely different than being at school.

Yale University

"Male velvet ants are completely different than the females", said Dr Williams in email.

The Guardian

The speed of this game is completely different than the arena league".

The New York Times - Sports

Why? "Because the character is completely different than anything I've played.

The Guardian - Film

The way Herman runs things is completely different than what most of us are used to".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely different than" to clearly emphasize a stark contrast between two subjects. This phrase is most effective when you want to highlight that the differences are significant and easily noticeable.

Common error

Avoid pairing "completely different than" with other intensifiers (e.g., "absolutely completely different than"). The word "completely" already provides sufficient emphasis; adding more can make your writing sound redundant and less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely different than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to emphasize a significant distinction between two subjects. Ludwig AI demonstrates its frequent use in a variety of contexts to highlight notable contrasts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely different than" is a commonly used comparative phrase that emphasizes a significant contrast between two subjects. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While considered acceptable, "completely different from" might be preferred in more formal settings. Remember to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with additional intensifiers. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively use this phrase to highlight noticeable differences in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely dissimilar to

Emphasizes a total lack of similarity.

wholly unlike

Highlights a complete absence of resemblance.

markedly distinct from

Stresses a noticeable and significant difference.

fundamentally opposed to

Implies a deep, foundational divergence.

radically divergent from

Suggests a deviation that is extreme and far-reaching.

worlds apart from

Indicates a separation so vast as to be almost unbridgeable.

bears no resemblance to

States that there is absolutely no similarity.

a far cry from

Implies a significant difference in quality or condition.

at opposite ends of the spectrum from

Indicates a position on a contrasting extreme.

as different as night and day from

Uses a common idiom to express extreme difference.

FAQs

How to use "completely different than" in a sentence?

Use "completely different than" to highlight a stark contrast. For example: "His approach to the problem was "completely different than" hers."

What can I say instead of "completely different than"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely dissimilar to", "markedly distinct from", or "wholly unlike" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "completely different than" or "completely different from"?

While "completely different than" is commonly used, "completely different from" is often considered more grammatically formal. Both are widely accepted, but context and audience may influence your choice.

What's the difference between "completely different than" and "slightly different than"?

"Completely different than" emphasizes a significant, almost unbridgeable gap, while "slightly different than" suggests minor variations or subtle distinctions.