different from that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "different from that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two items or things in a sentence. For example: His tastes are very different from that of his parents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But this feels very different from that.

The New York Times

"But it's different from that.

The Guardian - Arts

But it is something different from that.

Cornell University

We're a bit different from that.

The Guardian - Sport

But this case is entirely different from that.

Cornell University

In actuality, I think I'm much different from that.

The New Yorker

Her life has been so very different from that.

The New York Times

Actually, no, it's a little different from that.

Harvard Business Review

So, translating isn't much different from that.

HuffPost

But they were actually quite different from that.

Huffington Post

Then marginally different from that.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "different from that" to clearly compare and contrast two specific items or situations previously mentioned in your text. Avoid using it in overly complex sentence structures to maintain clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the "that" in "different from that" has a clear and unambiguous reference point. Overuse without clarity can confuse the reader and weaken your comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different from that" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate a distinction or dissimilarity between something and a previously referenced item or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "different from that" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative phrase that serves to highlight distinctions between items or concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for use in writing. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile for varied applications. When using this phrase, ensure the "that" is clear and specific. Alternatives such as "distinct from that" or "unlike that" can provide nuanced options for expressing difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct from that

This alternative uses "distinct" to emphasize a clear difference.

dissimilar to that

Replaces "different" with "dissimilar", indicating a lack of resemblance.

unlike that

Uses "unlike" to present a contrast with a straightforward comparison.

not the same as that

Expresses difference by negating sameness, making it clear the items are not identical.

varies from that

Highlights the aspect of variation or deviation from a standard.

contrasts with that

Emphasizes the conflicting nature of the differences.

diverges from that

Focuses on the point at which something starts to go in a different direction.

bears no resemblance to that

Implies a complete lack of similarity, expressing a stronger difference.

stands apart from that

Suggests that the subject is separate and distinct, not just different.

departs from that

Indicates a deviation or departure from a norm or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "different from that" in a sentence?

You can use "different from that" to compare something with a previously mentioned item or concept. For example, "This approach is "different from that" used last year".

What is a good alternative to "different from that"?

Alternatives include "distinct from that", "dissimilar to that", or "unlike that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "different than that" or "different from that"?

"Different from that" is generally considered more grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing, while "different than that" is more common in informal speech.

What's the difference between "different from that" and "different to that"?

"Different from that" is the standard and widely accepted form in American English. "Different to that" is more common in British English but "different from that" is also widely acceptable in British English.