different from those

USAGE SUMMARY

"different from those" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two or more ideas, items, or people, i.e. "The work ethic of this generation is quite different from those of their parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My stuff is different from those guys.

The Guardian - Music

"Fans in China are very different from those overseas.

The Guardian - Film

Does she think Nelly was different from those women?

The Guardian

The addresses will look different from those currently in use.

The New York Times - Tech

And Robinson could hardly be more different from those sprinters.

The New York Times - Sports

What makes this extinction different from those in the past?

The New York Times

Billy is so profoundly different from those around him.

The New York Times

"I was obviously very different from those characters," says Ringwald.

The Guardian - Film

Their values are different from those of their parents.

The New York Times

Materials are very different from those of the West.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most Martian craters look different from those on the Moon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, ensure that "those" clearly refers to a specific group or category already mentioned to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The apples from this orchard are different from those grown last year."

Common error

Avoid using "different from those" when the reference is unclear or missing. Always ensure "those" has a clear and previously defined antecedent to maintain clarity. Example: Instead of just saying "This method is different from those", specify "This method is different from those used in previous studies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different from those" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing or set of things has characteristics that are not the same as another thing or set of things. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "different from those" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express distinction between entities. As Ludwig AI validates, its application spans formal and informal registers, making it versatile for various writing contexts. Key considerations include ensuring clear pronoun reference and choosing synonyms like "unlike those" or "distinct from those" for stylistic variation. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlike those

This alternative offers a direct synonym for "different", maintaining a simple comparison but with fewer words.

distinct from those

Replaces "different" with "distinct", emphasizing a clear and recognizable difference.

dissimilar to those

Uses "dissimilar" instead of "different", highlighting a lack of resemblance.

varies from those

Shifts from a static difference to a dynamic variation, suggesting a change or fluctuation.

contrasts with those

Emphasizes a direct opposition or sharp difference between the items being compared.

diverges from those

Suggests a branching off or deviation from a common point, highlighting a separation in path or characteristic.

bears no resemblance to those

This phrase strongly indicates a complete lack of similarity, intensifying the contrast.

is at odds with those

Implies a conflict or incompatibility, suggesting that the items being compared are in opposition.

stands apart from those

Highlights the uniqueness or exceptional nature of one item compared to the others, suggesting it is notably distinct.

departs from those

Indicates a deviation from an established standard or norm represented by "those", highlighting an intentional divergence.

FAQs

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

You can use "different from those" to compare two or more sets of items or ideas, indicating that they have distinct characteristics. For example, "The challenges faced by small businesses today are different from those of the past."

What's a more concise way to say "different from those"?

Alternatives include "unlike those" or "distinct from those" which can provide a shorter, more direct comparison.

Is it always necessary to use "different from those," or can I omit "those"?

Whether to include "those" depends on the context. If the items being compared are clearly understood, you might use "different from this". However, "different from those" is useful when referring to a specific, previously mentioned group. For example, "These results are different from those in the previous study."

Which is more formal, "different from those" or ""distinct from those""?

"Distinct from those" tends to be more formal due to the word "distinct", while "different from those" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.