different than I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "different than I thought" is commonly used in spoken and written English, though "different from" is often considered more grammatically correct.
You can use it when expressing a realization that something does not match your previous expectations or assumptions. Example: "The outcome of the project was different than I thought; I expected more challenges."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Sometimes I felt that I ended up somewhere completely different than I thought I would.

The New Yorker

Klein (right): "Everything was different than I thought it would be.

The New York Times - Magazine

Learning the business: The job is very different than I thought in that I'm learning so much about business and finance.

The New York Times

"I almost read around it". Now, midway through the book, she describes it as "completely different than I thought it would be.

The New York Times

"Vampires are different than I thought they'd be," says Jonathan Lipnicki as Tony Thompson in Uli Edel's sweet family film THE LITTLE VAMPIRE (2000).

The New York Times - Arts

But, he noted, "the composition of the earnings was different than I thought it would be; the strength in broadcasting and the relative weakness of newspapers was surprising".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The man I was speaking with took notice to my offense and simply said "I don't mean to hurt you, I just wanted to make sure that you were aware that things will be different than I think you are expecting.

HuffPost

And I need to learn to take on board their input and pivot off in somewhat different or sometimes considerably different directions than I thought.

Forbes

"They're playing a different movie than I thought," Pruett said.

The New Yorker

You're a much different person than I thought you were.' " McCain agreed that the meetings built trust between him and Schumer.

The New Yorker

"I think I'm of a different style than I thought I was," Cohen says, as he watches himself in a hotel room, getting out of bed in his underwear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "different than I thought" is widely understood, consider using "different from what I thought" in formal writing to adhere to stricter grammatical conventions.

Common error

Avoid using "different than I thought" in highly formal contexts such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for alternatives like "different from what I expected" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different than I thought" functions as a comparative phrase, expressing a contrast between a prior expectation and a current realization. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a discrepancy between anticipation and reality. It is used to convey surprise, learning, or altered perception.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "different than I thought" is a frequently used phrase that conveys a sense of surprise or altered perception. While Ludwig AI marks it as acceptable, it is important to note that "different from what I thought" is considered more grammatically correct, especially in formal writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, the phrase serves to express subjective experiences and deviations from anticipated outcomes. When in doubt, consider the formality of your context and choose the phrasing that best suits your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not what I expected

This is a direct and common way to express that something was surprising.

contrary to my expectations

This phrase indicates a direct opposition to what was anticipated.

varied from my expectations

Implies a difference between the predicted outcome and the actual outcome.

not in accordance with my initial thoughts

A more formal way of saying something didn't align with initial impressions.

diverged from my anticipation

Emphasizes a departure from what was foreseen or hoped for.

quite a surprise

Highlights the unexpected nature of the situation.

I was mistaken about

Admits a prior misunderstanding or misjudgment.

turned out differently than planned

Focuses on the deviation from a pre-arranged or expected course.

beyond my initial perception

The reality is more complex than the initial thought.

an unanticipated outcome

Highlights that the result was not predicted.

FAQs

Is "different than" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, especially in American English, "different from" is generally considered more grammatically correct. Some style guides advise against "different than", especially in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "different than I thought"?

You can use alternatives like "not what I expected", "contrary to my expectations", or "varied from my expectations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "different than I thought" or "different from what I thought"?

"Different from what I thought" is generally considered more grammatically correct. However, "different than I thought" is widely used and understood, especially in informal contexts.

When should I use "different from" instead of "different than"?

Use "different from" when comparing two nouns or noun phrases. Use "different than" when introducing a clause or a complete thought, although "different from what" is often a safer choice in formal writing.