difference than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difference than" is not considered correct in standard written English. It is typically used incorrectly in place of "different from" or "different than." An example would be: "This situation is different than what we expected." Alternative expressions include "different from" and "different to."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The composite laminated plate showed about two times more displacement difference than the steel plate by different impact loads.

Composite Structures

This makes less of a difference than you might think.

The New York Times

And maybe the idea was more about difference than compatibility.

The New York Times

You will make more of a difference than you realise.

The Guardian

That's more of a difference than it seems, economically and environmentally.

The New York Times

It's really not a lot of difference than in the past.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that made more of a difference than anything else".

The New York Times - Sports

Russia went out despite better goal difference than Greece because of their head-to-head result.

The Guardian - Sport

We're 21st, although we do have a slightly better goal difference than the teams around us.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a bigger difference than there is in salaries," he adds.

The Guardian - Money

No single element of your surroundings makes more aesthetic difference than lighting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "different from" or "different to" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Avoid "difference than".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "than" after "different" due to its role in comparative statements. Remember that "different" takes "from" or "to", not "than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difference than" functions as a comparative element, attempting to highlight a dissimilarity between two subjects. However, standard English grammar dictates using "different from" or "different to" instead.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "difference than" appears in some published sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI shows, standard English prefers using "different from" or "different to" to express comparisons. Therefore, it's best to avoid "difference than" in formal writing and opt for the grammatically correct alternatives. Remember to use "different from" to clearly and correctly express distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different from

Replaces "than" with "from", the standard preposition for indicating difference.

different to

Uses "to" instead of "from", common in British English.

a distinction from

Emphasizes the distinction itself, using "from" for comparison.

a contrast to

Highlights the contrast, using "to" to link the contrasted elements.

dissimilar to

Uses the adjective "dissimilar" with the preposition "to" for comparison.

varied from

Indicates variation, using "from" to specify the point of departure.

in contrast with

Expresses a contrast using the preposition "with".

unlike

A simpler way to express difference or dissimilarity.

distinct from

Uses "distinct" to emphasize a clear and noticeable difference, followed by "from".

other than

Indicates something is different or excluded.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "different" in a comparison?

The correct prepositions to use with "different" are "from" and "to". For example, "This is different "different from" that" or "This is different "different to" that".

Is it ever okay to use "difference than"?

While you might encounter "difference than" in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Stick to "different from" or "different to" for standard usage.

What can I say instead of "difference than"?

Use "different from" or ""different to"". These alternatives are grammatically correct and widely accepted.

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

"Different from" is the standard and generally preferred choice. While "different than" appears, it's often considered less formal or incorrect.