more different than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more different than" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is often used incorrectly in place of "more different from," which is the proper comparative form. Example: "These two cultures are more different from each other than I initially thought."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now I feel more different than I already did".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Why make Janni feel more different than she already is?

The Guardian

It couldn't be more different than your style.

The Guardian - Film

"No one was more different than me," she said.

The Washington Post

And it's hard to imagine candidates more different than Clinton and Trump.

Columbia University

"Where we are going could not be more different than this spot," Rubin told the architects.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It couldn't have been more different than the Katy Perry video," he says.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Farhadi, 72, could hardly appear more different than the bearded, turbaned mullahs of the Taliban.

The New York Times

I wanted a change, and this could not be more different than teaching.

The Guardian

The album's title track couldn't feel more different than Frozen, despite the first verse's lyrics.

The Guardian - Music

But the two Vatileaks scandals may be more different than similar.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although widely used, consider replacing "more different than" with grammatically standard alternatives like "more different from", "more distinct than", or "more unlike" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. "Different" already implies a comparison; avoid phrases like "very different" or "completely different" unless you're emphasizing the degree of divergence. Instead, focus on how things differ.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more different than" functions as a comparative, highlighting a greater degree of dissimilarity between two or more entities. Despite its widespread use, Ludwig AI indicates it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English, with "more different from" being the preferred form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more different than" is frequently used, especially in news and media, it's often considered grammatically incorrect, with "more different from" being the standard alternative. According to Ludwig, it's best to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "more distinct than" or "more unlike" in formal writing. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy and focusing on how things differ to enhance clarity. Although widely used, consider replacing this construction to elevate the quality and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unlike than

Simple and direct way of expressing dissimilarity.

more dissimilar than

Emphasizes a lack of resemblance or likeness.

more divergent than

Highlights a branching out or deviation in different directions.

more distinct than

Focuses on clear and easily recognizable differences.

more disparate than

Suggests a fundamental and often irreconcilable difference.

more varied than

Highlights the range and diversity of differences.

more diverse than

Similar to 'varied', but often implies a wider range and complexity.

further apart than

Emphasizes the distance or separation between things.

more contrasted than

Highlights differences when compared side by side.

more differentiated than

Focuses on the process of becoming distinct or specialized.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "more different than"?

The grammatically preferred alternative is "more different from". You can also use alternatives like "more distinct than" or "more unlike".

Is it ever acceptable to use "more different than"?

While frequently used, especially in informal contexts, "more different than" is often considered nonstandard. For formal writing, it's best to opt for "more different from" or other alternatives that clearly convey the intended meaning without grammatical ambiguity.

How can I emphasize the degree of difference without using "very different"?

Instead of "very different", try stronger alternatives like "completely different", "radically different", or "markedly different" to highlight a significant contrast.

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

"More different than" is often considered grammatically incorrect, while "more different from" is the standard and accepted construction. They both aim to express a greater degree of dissimilarity, but the latter does so in a grammatically sound manner.