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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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different between

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "different between" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct expression is "difference between." Example: "The difference between the two theories is significant."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So, what's different between Alan Turing and Sully Sullenberg besides differing tastes in facial hair?

The biology is subtly different between rodents and primates".

News & Media

The Guardian

He can tell the different between great and exceptional".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's totally different between Derek Jeter and Frank Thomas.

"It's different between home and here," Weinhandl said.

The menu options aren't so different between the two places.

Is the writing process very different between the two?

News & Media

The Guardian

If these sites, or loci, are different between different populations, however, they may offset each other.

News & Media

The New York Times

The management style is very different between the public and private sectors.

News & Media

The Guardian

But the range of rates is markedly different between the two modes.

"What would be different between that and five seasons of inexplicable collapses against lesser teams?

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form, "difference between", instead of the grammatically incorrect "different between".

Common error

Avoid using "different" (an adjective) in place of "difference" (a noun). For instance, instead of saying "There's different between these two options", say "There's a difference between these two options".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different between" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase attempting to describe a distinction. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "difference between". The incorrect usage stems from using the adjective "different" instead of the noun "difference".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "different between" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "difference between". As Ludwig AI also points out, using the adjective "different" instead of the noun "difference" creates the error. While the intended purpose is to express distinctions, the incorrect usage undermines clarity. Although examples exist across various contexts, including science and news media, its rarity and grammatical status advise against its use. Ensure you opt for "difference between" or similar alternatives like "distinction between" in your writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "different between"?

The correct phrase is "difference between". The word "different" is an adjective, while "difference" is a noun. You need the noun in this construction.

How do I use "difference between" in a sentence?

Use "difference between" to highlight the ways in which two or more things are not the same. For example, "The main difference between cats and dogs is their behavior."

What words are similar to "difference between"?

Similar words include "distinction between", "contrast between", and "variation between".

Which is correct, "different between" or "difference between"?

"Difference between" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Different between" is considered incorrect.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: