differently from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'differently from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things or actions in contrast to each other. Example: He walked to school differently from his siblings, who rode their bikes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Presumably a bit differently from Keegan.

Independent

Yes, it was treated differently from Egypt.

The New York Times

People communicate differently from Americans.

The Guardian

They think differently from us.

The Guardian

Military planning is framed differently from diplomacy.

The Economist

Men think differently from women?

The Guardian - Books

Dragon Go works differently from Siri.

The New York Times

White watches football differently from most people.

The New York Times - Sports

They see my work differently from adults.

The New York Times

"Americans see things differently from the French.

The New York Times

We're built differently from regular women, right?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differently from" to clearly highlight the distinction between two subjects or actions, ensuring the comparison is explicit and easily understood by the reader.

Common error

While "different than" is sometimes used, especially in American English, "differently from" is generally considered more grammatically correct, particularly in formal writing. Sticking to "differently from" avoids potential ambiguity and maintains clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differently from" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a manner of difference or distinction. Ludwig shows multiple examples from diverse contexts, confirming its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differently from" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing contrast or variation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is best used to clearly differentiate between two subjects or actions, with "in contrast to" and "unlike" serving as effective alternatives. While "different than" exists, prioritizing "differently from" ensures clarity and grammatical precision, especially in formal writing. It's most frequently seen in News & Media, demonstrating its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not the same as

A straightforward way to state a lack of equivalence.

unlike

A more concise way of indicating dissimilarity.

in a different manner than

Emphasizes the distinct way something is done compared to another.

distinct from

Stresses the unique characteristics that set something apart.

in contrast to

Highlights a direct opposition or divergence.

in another way from

Highlights an alternative approach or method.

varied from

Focuses on the aspect of variation or change.

dissimilarly to

A more formal way to express a difference in manner.

otherwise than

Indicates a departure from a specified method or condition.

divergently from

Emphasizes the act of moving in separate directions or paths.

FAQs

How to use "differently from" in a sentence?

Use "differently from" to compare how two things are not alike. For example, "She approaches problems "differently from" her colleagues."

What can I say instead of "differently from"?

You can use alternatives like "unlike", "in contrast to", or "in a different manner than" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "different than" or "differently from"?

While "different than" is common, ""differently from"" is generally preferred in formal writing. "Different than" is often used when followed by a clause.

What's the difference between "different from" and "differently from"?

"Different from" describes a noun, while ""differently from"" describes a verb or action. For example, "His approach is different from hers" (describing the noun 'approach'), and "He acts "differently from" her" (describing the verb 'acts').