tend to differ from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tend to differ from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to how two things are usually different. For example, you could say "The cultures of the East tend to differ from those of the West."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Anonymous tend to differ from another hacking collective, LulzSec, by performing their attacks for political, activist reasons.

The Guardian - Tech

Dr Chan suggests that may be because sexual encounters elicited through online channels tend to differ from those arrived at by old-fashioned means.

The Economist

Other designations, such as coking coal and steam coal, have been applied to coals, but they tend to differ from country to country (see illustration).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Results show that perceptions toward pine and teak plantations tend to differ from those toward acacia pulpwood plantations in several ways.

Land Use Policy

These programs tend to differ from Family Rewards in that they are not holistic, but instead targeted to one area or outcome.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Likewise, five Japanese students described in their concept maps that the pupils tend to differ from each other regarding their knowledge, intrapersonal qualities and skills.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Comparing the different groups, Dual Users tended to differ from Powder Cocaine Users, regarding age, self-reported ethnicity, educational attainment and smoking status.

BMC Public Health

But the concerto tends to differ from the sonata, too, in certain ways that set it apart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The women's greetings tended to differ from the men's; they spoke about amusement parks and dining out and walks on the beach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These mostly undramatic outcomes -- from "The Road From Coorain," which has its PBS premiere tonight on "Masterpiece Theater" -- remind viewers of some of the ways that real life tends to differ from carefully shaped narratives, fictional or nonfictional.

The New York Times - Arts

Lonergan research chief executive Chris Lonergan cautioned that in previous elections "the actual Senate vote has tended to differ from the self-reported voting intention figures in polling, possibly because it is very difficult to convey the complexity of a Senate voting form over the telephone".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tend to differ from", ensure you clarify the specific aspects or characteristics that exhibit these differences to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tend to differ from" without providing specific examples or context. This can lead to vague and uninformative statements. Instead, specify how the subjects differ.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tend to differ from" functions as a comparative verb phrase. It indicates a common or usual distinction between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, supported by numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tend to differ from" is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as a comparative, indicating that two or more things usually have noticeable differences. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and usable in various contexts. It commonly appears in science, news, and encyclopedic sources, signaling its suitability for neutral to formal registers. For clearer writing, specify the exact differences when using this phrase. Related alternatives include "generally contrast with" and "typically diverge from". Remember to avoid overgeneralization and provide specific examples. Ludwig's examples effectively support the explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally contrast with

Replaces "tend to" with "generally", suggesting a common but not absolute difference, and uses "contrast" for a more direct comparison.

typically diverge from

"Typically" and "diverge" suggest a usual pattern of separation or deviation rather than a simple difference.

usually vary from

"Usually" focuses on the frequency of difference, and "vary" highlights the range of possible differences.

commonly deviate from

"Commonly" indicates a frequent occurrence, while "deviate" suggests a departure from a standard or norm.

often stand apart from

"Often" expresses frequency, and "stand apart" emphasizes distinctiveness and separation.

exhibit disparities compared to

Uses more formal language; "exhibit disparities" indicates noticeable differences when compared.

show distinctions relative to

Similar to above, but focuses on the act of showing differences in relation to something else.

display contrasts against

Highlights the act of displaying clear differences in opposition to something.

are not the same as

This provides a more direct statement of difference, losing the nuance of "tend to".

are dissimilar to

Offers a simple and direct alternative to express a lack of similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "tend to differ from" in a sentence?

Use "tend to differ from" to indicate that two or more things generally have noticeable differences. For example: "Democracies "tend to differ from" autocracies in their governance structures."

What are some alternatives to saying "tend to differ from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "generally contrast with", "typically diverge from", or "usually vary from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "tend to differ with" instead of "tend to differ from"?

While "differ with" is correct, it means to disagree. "Tend to differ from" indicates that two things have distinct characteristics, not that someone holds a different opinion.

What's the difference between "tend to differ from" and "are different from"?

"Tend to differ from" implies a general pattern or likelihood of difference, whereas "are different from" is a more direct and absolute statement of dissimilarity.