differ

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "differ" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb which means to have or show a difference from something else in one or more ways. Example sentence: The opinions of the two speakers differ on the subject of climate change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Opinion

Politics

Books

Money

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, I beg to differ.

The Guardian - Travel

Opinions differ.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Vermont offers an excellent example of how GPI and GDP differ in practice.

The Guardian

What happened in the state capitol and in Ferguson showed that one resident's reality can differ drastically from another's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Children in their early teens are often unskilled and don't know how to avoid injury, and between the ages of 13 and 18 their weight and height may differ dramatically within a squad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Opinions will differ over whether Cameron was right to avoid the debate, but Conservatives insisted the exchanges had shown the dangers of a "coalition of chaos" in which Miliband would be dependent on Sturgeon to stay in power.

The Guardian

So those are just some areas where we differ".

The Guardian

The dynamics differ in each of the two cases – but in both, the pressure is designed to give voters permission to defect on election day.

The Guardian - Opinion

My legs seemed to alternate between jelly and lumps of lead and even though my lap times didn't differ too much it felt incredibly hard work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While my poems differ in origin and focus from Iain's, they developed in a shared mental workspace of assumptions.

The Guardian - Books

The IMF and the EU differ over Greece's primary debt surplus which has also taken a downward turn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ", ensure you clearly specify what two or more items are differing from each other to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "opinions differ", say "opinions differ on the best course of action".

Common error

Avoid using "differ" with the preposition "than". The correct preposition to use with "differ" is "from". Example: "This model differs from the previous one", not "than the previous one".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "differ" is that of an intransitive verb, indicating a state of being unlike or distinct. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of the term and provides examples of sentences, such as "Opinions differ".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

1%

Lifestyle

3%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Politics

5%

Books

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "differ" is a versatile term used to indicate dissimilarity between entities. Ludwig AI confirms it to be grammatically correct and provides many examples showcasing its use across various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and opinion pieces. Its frequency is very common, and the term is considered appropriate for neutral registers. When using "differ", it's crucial to specify from what the subject is differing and to avoid using the incorrect preposition "than". Related terms include "vary", "contrast", and "diverge", each with subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagree

Focuses on a difference in opinion or belief.

vary

Indicates a range of differences, often in degree or intensity.

contrast

Implies a direct comparison highlighting the differences between two or more things.

dissimilar

Emphasizes the lack of similarity between two or more things.

diverge

Suggests a gradual separation or moving in different directions.

not align

Highlights a lack of agreement or correspondence.

deviate

Highlights a departure from a standard or expected norm.

dissent

Suggests a formal or public disagreement.

clash

Indicates a strong conflict or opposition.

stand apart

Emphasizes distinctiveness or uniqueness.

FAQs

How do I use "differ" in a sentence?

You can use "differ" to show that two or more things are not the same. For example, "The two approaches differ significantly in their methodology."

What can I say instead of "differ"?

You can use alternatives like "vary", "contrast", or "diverge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "differ from" or "differ than"?

"Differ from" is the correct usage. "Differ than" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "My opinion differs from yours."

What's the difference between "differ" and "differentiate"?

"Differ" means to be unlike or distinct, while "differentiate" means to recognize or show the difference. For example, "These two models differ in price", and "It's important to differentiate between correlation and causation".