incomparably different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incomparably different" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant difference between two or more things, highlighting that the difference is beyond comparison. Example: "The two cultures are incomparably different, each with its own unique traditions and values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Democratic will is unavoidably compromised by membership of a currency shared by other countries with incomparably different economies.

Independent

By the final version, although he hasn't altered his actual ideas very much, their expression is incomparably different, and that changes everything.

The Guardian - Books

The decidedly low-rent opening ceremony, which featured pigeons, was an affirmation of peaceful internationalism; Britons were proud of the pluck shown by staging the games at all.In some ways, of course, the contexts are incomparably different.

The Economist

Peter Beinart puts forth the notion that Woodrow Wilson exemplifies the same "grandiosity" of power visible in Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush, but, as John Milton Cooper, Jr.,'s recent biography of Wilson demonstrates, Wilson's decision to enter the First World War is incomparably different from Johnson's Vietnam intervention or Bush's Iraq invasion (Books, by George Packer, June 28th).

The New Yorker

The unique nature of fungi, when the closely related organisms exploit incomparably different strategies for reproduction (mostly sexual vs. exclusively asexual vs. sexual and asexual), leads to existence of a variety of overlapping species concepts.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Thereafter, things might have gone differently, all my choices were so incomparably dissimilar.

The Guardian - Books

I find incomparable things said incomparably well, as they must be...

The New Yorker

Your tribe is not only different from mine, it's incomparably superior.

Huffington Post

Characteristically and incomparably prodigal in its wealth of repertory, it has so far introduced 13 different programs of choreography, including the full-length "Coppélia" and "Romeo + Juliet," three major pas de deux and no fewer than 34 one-act ballets.

The New York Times - Arts

Incomparably, immeasurably, free.

The New York Times

It is incomparably beautiful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incomparably different" to emphasize a profound or fundamental distinction, where a simple "different" would not suffice. This phrase adds weight and significance to the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "incomparably different" when the difference is minor or obvious. Save this phrase for situations where the contrast is truly exceptional and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomparably different" functions as an intensifying modifier, where the adverb "incomparably" strengthens the adjective "different". It's used to emphasize a significant contrast, indicating a difference that is beyond comparison. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incomparably different" is a grammatically sound construction used to emphasize a significant and profound distinction between two or more items. As Ludwig AI suggests, its use is correct and serves to highlight differences beyond simple comparison. While grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts, it is important to reserve it for situations where the contrast is truly exceptional, rather than overusing it in simple or obvious comparisons. Related phrases like "vastly dissimilar" or "strikingly disparate" can provide suitable alternatives depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vastly dissimilar

Emphasizes the extent of the difference using "vastly" instead of "incomparably".

strikingly disparate

Replaces "different" with "disparate" and uses "strikingly" to highlight the noticeable difference.

fundamentally divergent

Highlights the core differences between the items using "fundamentally" and "divergent".

markedly distinct

Uses "distinct" as a synonym for "different" and "markedly" to indicate a clear difference.

radically unalike

Emphasizes a complete or drastic difference using "radically" and "unalike".

significantly contrasting

Focuses on the contrast between the items, using "significantly" to emphasize the importance of the difference.

worlds apart

A more figurative expression, indicating a very large difference.

poles apart

Similar to "worlds apart", this idiom suggests the items are at opposite extremes.

unrecognizably changed

Focuses on the transformation aspect, implying the difference is so great as to make something unrecognizable.

nothing alike

A simpler, more direct way of saying the items have very little in common.

FAQs

How can I use "incomparably different" in a sentence?

You can use "incomparably different" to emphasize a significant distinction. For example: "The cultures of the East and West are "incomparably different", each with unique traditions."

What are some alternatives to "incomparably different"?

Alternatives include "vastly dissimilar", "strikingly disparate", or "markedly distinct", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "incomparably different" grammatically correct?

Yes, "incomparably different" is grammatically correct. "Incomparably" is an adverb modifying the adjective "different", indicating the degree of difference.

When should I use "incomparably different" instead of simply "different"?

Use "incomparably different" when you want to highlight that the distinction is exceptionally significant and goes beyond a mere difference. It adds emphasis and indicates that the items being compared are markedly unalike.