do anything different than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do anything different than" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is often used in informal contexts, but the preferred construction is "do anything different from." Example: "I don't want to do anything different than what we discussed in the meeting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I don't think I can do anything different than work hard every week," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We didn't do anything different than for any other owner," Watkins said.

The New York Times

"My job today is to convince people that they shouldn't do anything different than they should have done before all this occurred," he said.

The New York Times

"I look forward to us thinking though what is it that really matters," he said, "and do we need to do anything different than what we did 10 years ago".

The New York Times - Arts

Though working with prominent actors, he explains in the speech, "I didn't do anything different than what I had been doing on all the other movies I had been doing.

The New Yorker

And Hsieh says that at Cisco, "We don't guide meeting participants to do anything different than they do in person".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He did not think he was doing anything different than they were doing".

The New York Times

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

Independent

I'm not doing anything different than Engle or Bobby or Robson is trying to get me to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't want these guys doing anything different than what they've been doing to get to this point," Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't know if that's doing anything different than the season, but it doesn't mean you just show up and expect those things to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid potential ambiguity, rephrase to focus on the specific action or aspect being compared. For instance, instead of "I didn't do anything different than usual", try "I followed my usual routine".

Common error

Avoid using "than" when "from" is grammatically correct to indicate difference. Although "than" is used colloquially, "from" provides clarity and aligns with formal writing standards. Choose "from" in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do anything different than" functions as a comparative element within a clause, typically to indicate a lack of deviation from a norm, expectation, or previous action. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates that it's often used in contexts where similarity or consistency is being emphasized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do anything different than" is a comparative construction used to express a lack of deviation from a norm. While common, Ludwig AI analysis points out it's often considered grammatically questionable, with "from" being the preferred preposition. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, used in a neutral register. If aiming for formal writing, consider alternatives like "do anything different from" or "do anything other than" for increased clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its widespread usage, awareness of grammatical nuances is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do anything other than

Emphasizes exclusivity, suggesting the action is the only one performed.

do something different from

Uses "from" instead of "than" to create a grammatically standard comparison.

act in any way different from

Adds emphasis on the manner of action.

take a different approach than

Focuses on the method or strategy used.

behave in a manner dissimilar to

Formal phrasing emphasizing behavioral differences.

conduct oneself differently than

Highlights personal conduct or demeanor.

vary one's actions from

Focuses on changing or modifying actions.

deviate from the standard

Suggests a departure from established norms or practices.

alter the usual course of action

Emphasizes a change in the planned or expected procedure.

modify established practices

Focuses on changing existing routines or methods.

FAQs

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

"Do anything different than" is commonly used but considered less grammatically correct. "Do anything different from" is the standard, more accepted form for expressing that an action is not the same as another.

Is "do anything different than" grammatically correct?

While frequently used in speech and informal writing, "do anything different than" is often flagged as grammatically incorrect. The preferred preposition in this construction is "from".

How can I rephrase "do anything different than" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, replace "do anything different than" with alternatives like "do anything other than" or "do something different from".

When is it okay to use "do anything different than"?

It's generally acceptable in informal conversations or casual writing where strict grammatical rules are relaxed. However, avoid it in formal documents, academic papers, or professional communications.