entirely different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely different from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that two or more subjects are completely dissimilar and have nothing in common. For example, "The taste of lemonade is entirely different from the taste of grape juice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were entirely different from black peppercorns.

The New York Times - Food

"It's entirely different from the guitar.

The Guardian - Music

But this case is entirely different from that.

Cornell University

"The appeals are something entirely different from the norms.

The New York Times

National taxes are entirely different from foreign aid, for example.

The Guardian

But their work is entirely different from Angelopoulos's.

The Guardian - Film

The engine is entirely different from a typical Stirling engine.

Energy Conversion and Management

That's entirely different from state-sponsored illegal hacking.

The Washington Post

For example, immunotherapy is entirely different from traditional treatment.

The Washington Post

His purpose, therefore, was entirely different from the one stated in the Mohle interpretation.

Yale University

Finally, running for Senate is entirely different from running for the House.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two distinct entities, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both subjects being compared. For example, "Classical music is entirely different from heavy metal." This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely different from" when the subjects share some similarities. Reserve it for cases where the differences are fundamental and substantial. Using it for minor variations weakens the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely different from" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of complete dissimilarity. As seen in Ludwig, it clarifies the extent to which two subjects diverge. The examples are consistent with this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely different from" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant contrast between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers, although it maintains a tendency toward neutral and professional usage. When using this phrase, ensure the dissimilarity is indeed substantial to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "completely dissimilar to" or "utterly unlike" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely dissimilar to

Replaces "entirely different" with "completely dissimilar", emphasizing a lack of resemblance.

utterly unlike

Uses "utterly unlike" to highlight the extreme dissimilarity between two things.

bears no resemblance to

Emphasizes the complete absence of similarity.

distinct from

A more concise way of saying different. It means not the same.

a world apart from

Suggests a very large difference, as if they exist in separate realities.

poles apart from

Uses a spatial metaphor to indicate extreme opposition or difference.

contrasts sharply with

Focuses on the elements that are contrasting between the two.

diverges significantly from

Highlights a notable deviation or departure from something.

fundamentally distinct from

Emphasizes that the differences are at a basic or essential level.

bears no comparison to

States that the two things cannot be meaningfully compared due to their differences.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely different from" in a sentence?

Use "entirely different from" to emphasize a complete dissimilarity between two things. For example, "The climate in the desert is "completely different from" that of the rainforest".

What phrases are similar to "entirely different from"?

Similar phrases include "completely dissimilar to", "utterly unlike", or "bears no resemblance to".

Is it always necessary to use "entirely" with "different from"?

No, but using "entirely" emphasizes the extent of the difference. "Different from" is perfectly acceptable on its own when the difference isn't as extreme.

How does "entirely different from" compare to "slightly different from"?

"Entirely different from" implies a complete and fundamental dissimilarity, whereas "slightly different from" suggests only minor variations.