is different to

USAGE SUMMARY

'is different to' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about two objects, phenomena, etc. that have distinguishing features. Here is an example sentence: This species of bird is different to the one we saw earlier.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is different to previous presidential elections.

The Economist

Mixing paint is different to mixing light.

The Economist

The training lifestyle is different to Wales.

Independent

Volunteering is different to working.

The Guardian

It is different to him.

The Guardian

Baltimore is different to Brooklyn".

The Guardian

Today's generation is different to mine.

The Guardian

"Selling out is different to different people.

The New York Times

Our market is different to that".

The Guardian - Sport

"But Catherine's situation is different to mine.

The Guardian - Film

"This is different to say the least.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is different to" to highlight the distinctions between two subjects, ensuring your comparison is clear and specific. For example, "This approach is different to the one we used last year because it focuses more on user feedback."

Common error

While "different to" is acceptable, especially in British English, "different from" is often considered more standard in American English. Choose the phrasing that aligns with your target audience.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "is different to" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, highlighting distinctions between two entities. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts to emphasize differences, aligning with the "aiResponseStatus" that confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is different to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in British English, for indicating dissimilarity between two subjects. While "different from" is often preferred in American English, Ludwig's examples confirm that "is different to" is widely accepted and understood. The analysis reveals that it is commonly employed in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, serving the purpose of highlighting distinctions and providing clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differs from

Emphasizes the point of divergence; more concise.

is distinct from

Highlights the separateness and individuality.

is unlike

Simple and direct way of showing dissimilarity.

is not the same as

Clearly states the lack of identity between two things.

diverges significantly from

Emphasizes a notable departure or deviation.

presents a contrast with

Focuses on the element of opposition.

stands apart from

Highlights the uniqueness and lack of association.

contrasts sharply with

Highlights a clear and strong difference.

bears no resemblance to

Stresses a complete lack of similarity.

is worlds apart from

Suggests a very large degree of dissimilarity.

FAQs

Is "is different to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is different to" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in British English. However, "different from" is more widely accepted in American English.

What's the difference between "is different to" and "different from"?

"Is different to" and "different from" are both used to express dissimilarity, but "different from" is generally preferred in American English. Both are acceptable, but consider your audience when choosing which to use.

What can I say instead of "is different to"?

You can use alternatives like "differs from", "is distinct from", or "is unlike" depending on the context.

How to use "is different to" in a sentence?

Use "is different to" to compare two things and highlight their differences. For example, "The climate here is different to what I'm used to."