differently than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differently than" is not considered correct in standard written English; the preferred form is "differently from." You can use it in informal contexts, but it's best to avoid it in formal writing.
Example: "She approaches problems differently than her colleagues."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We watch the game differently than fans.

The New York Times - Sports

"He thinks differently than the others".

The New York Times

Walt could end no differently than that.

The New York Times

"Because Swannack sees it differently than Petraeus.

The New Yorker

It moves differently than it captures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Do women write differently than men?

The Guardian - Books

Women also metabolize drugs differently than men.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My eyes see differently than other people.

The New York Times

"I speak differently than a man does.

The New York Times

In general, women give differently than men.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps Sachs remembers things differently than others.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, opt for "differently from" to adhere to standard grammatical conventions. While "differently than" is common, it's often considered less precise.

Common error

Avoid using "differently than" in academic papers or professional reports. Using the grammatically preferred "differently from" enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differently than" functions as an adverbial modifier in comparative constructions. It specifies how something is done or perceived in comparison to something else. Ludwig shows many examples in news and general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "differently than" is frequently encountered in various sources, it's grammatically contested. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the preferred form is "differently from", especially in formal writing. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier for making comparisons. Although widely used in news, media, and general contexts, sticking to ""differently from"" ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances the credibility of your writing. Therefore, consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "differently than" or opt for its more accepted alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differently from

Uses the more standard and grammatically accepted preposition 'from' instead of 'than'.

in a different way than

Emphasizes the manner of difference, adding explicit wording.

unlike

Provides a direct contrasting element instead of a comparative structure.

distinctly from

Highlights the clarity and recognizability of the difference.

dissimilarly to

Offers a more formal and less common synonym for 'differently'.

another way than

Highlights an alternative means to accomplish something compared to another method.

in contrast to

Highlights the opposition or divergence between two subjects.

variously from

Focuses on the variance or diversity in the comparison.

on a different basis than

Suggests that the comparison is founded on differing principles.

divergently than

Uses a less common adverb to emphasize the diverging nature of the comparison.

FAQs

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

While "differently than" is commonly used, ""differently from"" is generally considered grammatically correct, especially in formal writing.

When is it okay to use "differently than"?

Using "differently than" is acceptable in informal contexts such as casual conversations or less formal writing, but avoid it in academic or professional settings.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "differently than" to be more formal?

Replace "differently than" with ""differently from"" or use an alternative phrase like "in a different way than".

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

The primary difference is grammatical correctness. "Differently from" aligns with standard English grammar, while "differently than" is often considered colloquial or less formal.