different from the young

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "different from the young" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing characteristics, behaviors, or attributes of a group that is not young to those who are young. Example: "The perspectives of the elderly are often different from the young, leading to generational misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We older folk are different from the young people.

The New York Times

I told him that he didn't look very different from the young man in the picture.

The New York Times - Magazine

The young people in your office aren't so very different from the young Grant Hill at Duke.

Harvard Business Review

The amazing thing is that many of the comments about his character and personality in his adult years are not much different from the young man I knew!

Stanford University

Your friend in the North Tower who was fixated on the prices on the computer screen when the first plane struck was as different from the young man with his eyes glued to that plane's instrument panel as one ambitious young man can be from another.

The Guardian

With Tame Impala and AC/DC, Australia has a lock on the top of the bill on Friday night, but Parker's saucer-eyed fellow-travelers couldn't be more different from the Young brothers' down-and-dirty mob – though Parker says onstage how much he's looking forward to seeing them: "I've waited my whole life".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Our philosophy is completely different from the new young people moving in, and it sometimes causes a little rift," she said, noting that noise levels and trash accumulation were among her concerns.

The New York Times

He was different from the younger street agents and supervisors I knew.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are different from the younger generation 20 years ago," Mr. Tang said, alluding to the generation defined, and scarred, by the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations at Tiananmen Square.

The New York Times

As a demographic, we are not that different from the younger Gen X or Y when it comes to friends.

Huffington Post

The morbidity and mortality figures for elective procedures are not different from the younger age population and favourable long-term outcome can be achieved by resectional surgery [ 3].

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, use "different from the young" to precisely highlight the contrast in characteristics, behaviors, or viewpoints between those who are young and others. For example, "The older generation's approach to technology is often different from the young".

Common error

Avoid using "different from the young" to make sweeping generalizations about entire age groups. Instead, focus on specific aspects where differences are observed, recognizing individual variations within each group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different from the young" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves primarily to express a distinction or contrast between groups or individuals, particularly concerning age. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression can be used to highlight different characteristics, behaviours, or attributes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "different from the young" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons, typically emphasizing distinctions in characteristics or behaviors between older and younger cohorts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable for use in written English. While it appears in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic discussions, its frequency is relatively uncommon. To enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralizations, it’s best practice to specify the attributes in which the differences occur. For alternatives, you might consider phrases like "distinct from the youth" or "unlike younger individuals" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct from the youth

Replaces "young" with "youth", emphasizing a general group of young people.

unlike younger individuals

Uses "unlike" to show contrast and specifies "younger individuals" for clarity.

not the same as the younger generation

Highlights generational differences more explicitly.

divergent from the rising generation

Employs more formal language, with "divergent" and "rising generation".

contrasting with the young cohort

Uses "contrasting" to emphasize opposition and "young cohort" to specify a group.

dissimilar to those who are young

A more descriptive way of expressing differences in qualities.

varying from the juvenile demographic

Replaces "young" with "juvenile" and "demographic" for a specific segment of the population.

at odds with the youthful set

Implies conflicting values or perspectives.

distinguished from the younger set

Emphasizes a clear distinction between groups.

separate from the new generation

Focuses on the idea of being set apart from a contemporary group.

FAQs

What does "different from the young" mean?

The phrase "different from the young" indicates a contrast in characteristics, behaviors, or perspectives when comparing a group or individuals to those who are young.

How can I use "different from the young" in a sentence?

You might say, "The work ethic of seasoned professionals is often "different from the young", who value work-life balance."

What are some alternatives to "different from the young"?

Consider alternatives like "distinct from the youth", "unlike younger individuals", or "not the same as the younger generation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "different from the young" in formal writing?

Yes, "different from the young" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing generational differences or comparative studies. However, ensure the context is respectful and avoids stereotypes.