differ from each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ from each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used to indicate that two or more things are not the same. For example: The two species of bird differ from each other in size and colors.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The amplitudes and periods of the pressure in different regimes differ from each other.

Chemical Engineering Science

And NCBC-parameters under different charging factors will differ from each other.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

According to the different circumstances, the planning issues differ from each other, too.

European Transport Research Review

In such a concept the active centres must differ from each other to meet different requirements.

Chemistry Central Journal

Their likelihood functions, therefore, can differ from each other and peak at different levels of θ.

Columbia University

And symbols differ from each other according to their different syntactic and semantic rules.

SEP

They differ from each other in the order of arguments.

University of California, Berkeley

Groups 1 and 2 did not differ from each other.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Isotopes of an element differ from each other only by the number of neutrons.

The Guardian

Consider whether the government's and the foreign power's objectives and strategies differ from each other.

The New York Times

Some miRNAs differ from each other by only a single nucleotide.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, use "differ from each other" to highlight specific distinctions between them. For instance, "The experimental results from the two groups differ from each other significantly in terms of efficiency and accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "differ from each other" when a simpler term like "differ" suffices. For example, instead of saying "These methods differ from each other", consider saying "These methods differ" to keep the sentence concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ from each other" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that two or more entities possess distinct characteristics. Ludwig examples show its frequent usage across various domains. It directly points out dissimilarities or variations between the subjects being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ from each other" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that two or more things are not alike. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reports, highlighting its versatility. While simpler alternatives like "differ" exist, "differ from each other" can add emphasis to the comparison being made. Keep in mind Ludwig's analysis to use it effectively, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are distinct from each other

This emphasizes the clear and recognizable differences between entities.

distinguish from each other

This stresses the ability to tell the difference between items.

differentiate from each other

This emphasizes the act of recognizing or creating distinctions.

differentiated from each other

This is the past tense form emphasizing completed differentiation.

vary from each other

This suggests a range of differences or degrees of variation.

diverge from each other

This indicates a separation or branching out in different directions.

deviate from each other

This suggests straying or departing from a common path or standard.

depart from each other

This suggests a physical or figurative leaving or moving away.

are from each other

This alternative uses a more basic phrasing to convey a difference in origin or composition.

defer from each other

This implies a postponement or submission in the context of disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "differ from each other" in a sentence?

Use "differ from each other" to emphasize the ways in which two or more things are not alike. For instance, "The approaches used by the researchers "differ from each other" in methodology and data analysis".

What can I say instead of "differ from each other"?

Alternatives include "vary from each other", "are distinct from each other", or simply "differ" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "differ from each other"?

While sometimes "differ" alone is sufficient, ""differ from each other"" emphasizes that a comparison is being made between multiple items, clarifying the relationship you're describing.

Which is correct, "differ from each other" or "differ from one another"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and essentially interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, as both effectively communicate that items are not alike. However, using "differ from each other" can sound more natural when referring to two specific items or groups.