dissimilar things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dissimilar things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items, concepts, or ideas that are not alike or have significant differences. Example: "In her art, she often juxtaposes dissimilar things to create a thought-provoking narrative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Requiring two dissimilar things is the essence of "two-factor authentication".

The New York Times

"I like how it makes two seemingly dissimilar things, a and b, identical," Dijkgraaf had said.

The New Yorker

Web sites can and should follow this general principle of requiring two dissimilar things before access is granted.

The New York Times - Tech

Many sensitive souls, for instance, would think it was pretty hot and sloppy to bang together such dissimilar things as the imagery of Christ and the elegant double-helix spiral of DNA, let alone add Einstein's equation E=mc2.

Independent

Split-focus multiplicity is often a basic condition of Cunningham dance theater (and one reason his work reminds me of Chekhov's plays, in which two dissimilar things so often coincide).

The New York Times - Arts

When a simile is figuratively true, it will ordinarily be literally false it will compare things such that the first is unlike the second by generally prevailing or previously prevailing standards, yet the first is like the second by new standards the simile itself helps to impose; this is the sense in which a simile is an exhibition of unity in variety, a likening of dissimilar things.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Vampire Weekend were doing a not dissimilar thing at the same time (Foals' debut, Antidotes, came out in 2008, as did Vampire Weekend), and VW garnered most of the critical love.

The Guardian - Music

BCL2 and P53 are shown as individual markers dissimilar to all others thus measuring different things.

British Journal of Cancer

It's not dissimilar from the HBO model, which boils down to having an array of different things that cause an array of different kinds of people to want to subscribe, ideally for the long term.

Huffington Post

It's not wholly dissimilar to how things have changed with weddings.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Mohists themselves seem to regard all of these as different ways of applying fa to draw distinctions between similar and dissimilar kinds of things.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dissimilar things" when highlighting contrasts or paradoxes to draw attention to their incongruity. This makes the comparison more striking.

Common error

Avoid using "dissimilar things" when a simple "different things" would suffice. Overusing the term can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Reserve it for situations where the differences are substantial or noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dissimilar things" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dissimilar" modifies the noun "things". This phrase typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating items or concepts that possess notable differences, confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dissimilar things" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize notable differences between items or concepts. Ludwig confirms its validity and showcases its usage in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While the phrase isn't extremely common, it adds a layer of precision when a simple "different things" might not suffice. When writing, it's important to use the phrase purposefully to highlight significant differences and avoid overuse in simple comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different objects

Replaces "things" with "objects" for a more concrete focus.

unlike items

Uses "unlike" to emphasize the lack of similarity and "items" as a general noun.

disparate entities

Similar to "distinct entities" but stresses a greater degree of difference.

distinct entities

Employs more formal vocabulary to highlight separateness.

divergent elements

Highlights the differing nature of components or aspects.

diverging aspects

Highlights elements starting from the same point but then moving in different directions.

unrelated matters

Shifts the focus to abstract topics that have no connection.

contrasting aspects

Emphasizes the comparison of opposing characteristics.

incompatible elements

Highlights the unsuitability of certain elements to coexist or function together.

mismatched pairs

Focuses on the lack of compatibility between two items.

FAQs

How can I use "dissimilar things" in a sentence?

You can use "dissimilar things" to compare items, concepts, or ideas that are significantly different. For example: "She juxtaposed "dissimilar things" in her artwork to create a thought-provoking narrative."

What are some alternatives to "dissimilar things"?

Alternatives include "different objects", "unlike items", or "distinct entities" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dissimilar things" or "different things"?

"Dissimilar things" implies a greater degree of difference than "different things". Use "dissimilar things" when you want to emphasize substantial divergence. "Different things" is suitable for less pronounced distinctions.

Can "dissimilar things" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While "dissimilar things" is generally acceptable in various contexts, it tends to be more appropriate in formal or analytical writing. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "different things" might be preferred.