different than before

USAGE SUMMARY

"different than before" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two ideas, situations, or people and explain how they are not the same. For example: "The new menu items at the restaurant look different than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everyone should remember, the peoples of the region are different than before," he said.

The New York Times

"Today, what I need from a nanny job is different than before," said Ieda Barreto, 32.

The New York Times

Amy Dacey, the former chief executive officer of the Democratic National Committee, said the donor dynamics this cycle are "fundamentally different" than before.

The New York Times

"They are different than before," Natasa Kandic, the founder of the Humanitarian Law Centre, told the BBC last year.

BBC

The cry was often found to be different than before, as expressed by their parents, or to be striking, as expressed by the physicians.

BMC Family Practice

–Very different than before.

The New York Times

"Everything is different than before".

The New York Times

"But this time is different than before.

The New Yorker

I don't think Mourinho is doing anything different than before.

Independent

Buildings with non-linear shape force relationships between geometry and material which are different than before.

Procedia Engineering

Now that we've done the, quote, unthinkable, the church won't look much different than before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "different than before", ensure the context clearly defines both the previous state and the current state for a clear comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "different than before" without specifying what has changed. Provide specific details to illustrate the differences effectively, otherwise your sentence won't have as much value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different than before" functions as a comparative, modifying a noun or clause to indicate that something has undergone a change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "different than before" is a versatile and commonly used comparative indicating that something has changed over time. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in diverse contexts, including news, science, and even business communication. While the alternative "different from before" exists, "different than before" provides a clear and effective means of contrasting past and present conditions. Remember to provide a clear context. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "changed from before" or "not what it used to be" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changed from before

Emphasizes the aspect of change.

altered from its prior state

Highlights the alteration and refers to a formal previous condition.

not what it used to be

Expresses a change by contrasting the current state with a past one.

transformed since then

Highlights a significant change or metamorphosis since a specific point in time.

evolved from its origin

Focuses on the gradual development and change from the initial form.

modified over time

Underscores the impact of time on the alteration.

new and improved

Implies the change is positive and has resulted in an enhanced version.

reformed in recent times

Indicates a restructuring or reorganization that has led to a change.

unrecognizable now

Emphasizes the extent of the change, making it difficult to identify the original state.

metamorphosed since

Highlights a complete change in form or character since a specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "different than before" in a sentence?

You can use "different than before" to highlight a change or evolution. For example, "The approach to marketing is "different than before" the rise of social media."

What's a good alternative to "different than before"?

Alternatives include "changed from before", "not what it used to be", or "transformed since then", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "different than before" grammatically correct?

Yes, "different than before" is grammatically correct and widely accepted, especially in American English. While some prefer "different from", "different than" is also common.

What's the difference between "different than before" and "different from before"?

While both are used to indicate a change, "different than before" is often used when comparing clauses, while "different from before" is used more broadly. In many contexts, they are interchangeable.