rather different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'rather different from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is significantly different from something else. Example sentence: The culture in this city is rather different from the culture in my hometown.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather different from the set text we studied at school?

The Guardian - Music

These are rather different from the standard portraits.

The New York Times - Books

This is rather different from the book of letters between your parents during the war.

The Guardian - Books

They are both very good and rather different from one another.

The New York Times

Plainly, Frankenstein is rather different from, and much more complex than, its subsequent reinterpretations.

The Guardian - Books

The checkpoint outside Kabul today is rather different from what it was three years ago.

The New Yorker

Walliams's feelings about his fanmail are rather different from those of other celebrities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it's rather different from the work you've done previously… The motion-capture is.

The Guardian

David Hurry Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex My experience was rather different from Chris Seidel (Letters, 1 December).

The Guardian

Their impact was felt in ways rather different from that of the Portuguese.

Britannica

As a result, the final phase of the project will be rather different from the first.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather different from" to subtly emphasize a distinction without being overly assertive. This phrase is especially useful when you want to acknowledge some similarities but highlight key differences.

Common error

Avoid using "rather different from" in every sentence to show contrast. Overuse can dilute the impact. Vary your language with other phrases like "distinct from", "dissimilar to", or "divergent from" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather different from" functions as a prepositional phrase used for comparison. It indicates that there's a notable dissimilarity between two or more items. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to express a degree of difference that is more than slight but not extreme.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather different from" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a noticeable distinction between items or concepts. It's grammatically sound and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, showing its adaptability across various registers. While "rather different from" is valuable for highlighting differences, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms like "distinct from" or "dissimilar to". By understanding its appropriate usage, writers can effectively convey distinctions without sacrificing clarity or style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct from

States a clear and unambiguous difference.

slightly distinct from

Indicates a minor degree of separation or difference.

quite unlike

Emphasizes the difference, making it clear that there's little similarity.

somewhat dissimilar to

Implies a moderate degree of difference, focusing on a lack of resemblance.

considerably unlike

Suggests a substantial degree of dissimilarity.

markedly divergent from

Highlights a noticeable and significant departure or deviation.

substantially varied from

Indicates that there are major differences in form or character.

diverges significantly from

Shows a major point of separation and contrast.

noticeably disparate from

Emphasizes a clear and easily observed difference.

bears little resemblance to

Highlights the lack of similarity or correspondence.

FAQs

How to use "rather different from" in a sentence?

You can use "rather different from" to compare two or more things, suggesting a notable difference. For example: "The climate here is "rather different from" what I'm used to."

What can I say instead of "rather different from"?

You can use alternatives like "distinct from", "dissimilar to", or "markedly different from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rather different from" or "very different from"?

Both "rather different from" and "very different from" are correct, but they convey slightly different degrees of emphasis. "Rather different from" suggests a noticeable difference, while "very different from" implies a greater degree of divergence.

What's the difference between "somewhat different from" and "rather different from"?

"Somewhat different from" suggests a slight difference, while ""rather different from"" indicates a more substantial distinction. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.