different than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

"different than usual" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "He had a different personality than usual, which surprised everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is an interesting line of argument, one that basically says: we have always been aggressive and so our tactics are no different than usual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although Marbury has jabbed at the talents of the Knick point guard in the past, Ward shrugged off any suggestion that this opponent prodded him into an effort that was any different than usual.

The New York Times - Sports

The exam showed that she had no evidence of a recurrence of her benign tumor, and her back pain, even by her own assessment, was no different than usual.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our Student Opinion question today follows a slightly different than usual formula to ask these questions, and we'd like to hear anything you're interested in telling us about this broad topic.

The New York Times

With chuckles spreading through the room, she did not neglect the obligatory: "Do you deserve to be No. 1?" and "How is the racket?" "Hopefully," she concluded, "this was a little bit different than usual, and now you can maybe, yeah, give me some questions that are a little bit more interesting, a little bit different than what I usually get".

The New York Times - Sports

This week we taped at Disrupt SF, so our setup looks slightly different than usual.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

If you tend to overeat at the same location at the dining room table, move to a different seat or rearrange your furniture such that you're facing a different direction than usual when you eat.

WikiHow

The nature of the Spa track demands a different aerodynamic setup on the cars compared with most of the other recent tracks this year, so different cars than usual got the better of that and made better use of their tires, causing the strange grid and race results.

The New York Times - Sports

Keane was playing a slightly different role than usual.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't feel any different today than usual".

The Guardian - Books

It's been a very different season than usual for Seattle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes or deviations, use "different than usual" to effectively highlight the contrast with typical occurrences.

Common error

Avoid embedding "different than usual" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would enhance clarity. Aim for directness and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different than usual" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a deviation from a typical or expected state. Ludwig provides examples showing its wide applicability in describing various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

18%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "different than usual" is a correct and commonly used comparative phrase to denote a deviation from typical occurrences, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources. When writing, use it to effectively highlight contrasts while avoiding overuse in overly complex sentences. For alternative phrasing, consider "atypical" or "out of the ordinary" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not like the norm

Directly contrasts something with what is considered normal.

a departure from convention

Indicates a move away from typical norms or practices.

an exception to the rule

Frames something as an uncommon departure from a general principle.

out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the departure from the common or everyday.

distinct from the routine

Highlights a deviation from established patterns or habits.

not in keeping with tradition

Suggests a deviation from established customs or practices.

atypical

Uses a single adjective to convey the meaning of not being usual.

divergent from the standard

Stresses a departure from a set standard or expectation.

uncommon

Indicates that something is not frequently encountered.

off the beaten path

Implies a divergence from a common route or method.

FAQs

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

You can use "different than usual" to describe a deviation from a typical pattern. For instance, "The weather this summer has been different than usual."

What are some alternatives to "different than usual"?

Alternatives include "atypical", "out of the ordinary", or "uncommon" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "different than usual"?

While generally acceptable, ensure the context warrants a comparison. Sometimes, a more specific adjective might be more precise and impactful.

What's the difference between "different than usual" and "<a href=/s/different+than+normal" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">different than normal"?

While similar, "different than usual" implies a deviation from an established pattern or habit, whereas "different than normal" contrasts with a standard state or condition.