looks different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks different from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the appearance of two or more things to highlight their differences. Example: "The new model looks different from the previous version, with a sleeker design and updated features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It began to dawn on me how the world not only looks different from the seat of a big vehicle, it also treats you differently because of this.

The New York Times - Travel

The world looks different from South Africa.

The New York Times

It all looks different from that position".

The Guardian - Film

November 8: The earth looks different from up here.

The New Yorker

It looks different from any other Apple laptop.

Independent

I know!" He looks different from when he was first on telly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Today there's a new mania, which looks different from the others: it fits in your pocket.

The Guardian - Tech

"Sometimes the view looks different from the lofty rooms of a university".

The Guardian

Dumbo Dumbo, the area down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass, looks different from Williamsburg-Greenpoint.

The New York Times - Arts

The world looks different from the president's desk rather than from the candidates' soapbox.

The New York Times

He even looks different from the Miliband I saw at Haverstock – taller, easier in his skin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks different from" to clearly highlight distinctions between items, concepts, or perspectives. For example, "The revised policy looks different from the original, with clearer guidelines."

Common error

Avoid using "than" in place of "from" when comparing appearances. The correct usage is "looks different from", not "looks different than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks different from" serves as a comparative descriptor, indicating a perceived dissimilarity in appearance between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks different from" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a visual distinction between two or more subjects. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. While simple, it effectively communicates observed differences, making it a useful tool for descriptive writing. Remember to use "from" and not "than" in these comparisons, and consider alternative phrases like "appears dissimilar to" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differs from

A more concise and formal way of saying something is not the same.

appears dissimilar to

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "different" with "dissimilar", maintaining a formal tone.

is unlike

A simpler and more direct way to express dissimilarity.

is not the same as

Uses a more direct and simple expression to indicate a difference.

shows variations from

Focuses on the variations between the items being compared.

presents a contrast to

Highlights the contrasting nature of the comparison.

stands apart from

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of something relative to something else.

bears little resemblance to

Indicates that the items being compared are quite unalike.

departs from

Indicates a deviation or divergence from a standard or norm.

exhibits differences when compared to

A more elaborate way to express that there are differences.

FAQs

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

Use "looks different from" to compare the appearance of two or more things, highlighting their dissimilarities. For example, "The prototype "looks different from" the final product due to several design changes."

What's a more formal alternative to "looks different from"?

More formal alternatives include "appears dissimilar to" or "differs from". These options provide a more sophisticated tone for academic or professional writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "looks different than"?

While some might use "looks different than", the grammatically preferred and more widely accepted form is "looks different from". Stick to "from" for clarity and correctness.

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

"Looks different from" specifically refers to a visual difference, while "is different from" implies a difference in any aspect, not just appearance. For example, "The packaging "looks different from" the old one," but "The new software is different from the previous version in terms of functionality."