to differ from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to differ from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more things to highlight how they are not the same. Example: "The results of the experiment differ from our initial hypothesis, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

(4) One is obliged to differ from the papacy.

The New York Times - Books

The Senate plan is likely to differ from the House version.

The New York Times

Warpaint also seem to differ from many male-dominated groups in the way that they create songs.

The Guardian - Music

Varying conditions in the home, Mr. Haines said, will cause costs of a cleanup to differ from house to house.

The New York Times

But the Yap illness seemed to differ from typical dengue, producing more joint pains and conjunctivitis (pinkeye).

The New York Times - Health

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

The Guardian - Tech

How does United States environmental policy respond to, differ from or contradict the findings of environmental groups?

The New York Times

The cycles of emerging stockmarkets, however, seem to differ from those of developed markets.

The Economist

John Mangan, Professor of Economics, University of Queensland:I appear to differ from my colleagues.

The Economist

They spoke about how they wanted their lives to differ from their parents'.

The New York Times

Where is Obama's approach going to differ from Bush's?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to differ from" to clearly articulate the distinctions between two or more subjects. Ensure that the context provides a clear basis for comparison, enhancing the reader's understanding of the specific differences.

Common error

A common mistake is using "differ with" when you mean "differ from". "Differ from" highlights dissimilarities, while "differ with" indicates disagreement. For example, say "The new model differs from the old one in design", not "The new model differs with the old one in design".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to differ from" functions as a verb phrase indicating a comparison that highlights the dissimilarities between two or more entities. It helps to establish distinctions, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples showing variations across different subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to differ from" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to highlight the dissimilarities between two or more subjects. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its utility in formal and precise communication. While similar phrases like "to vary from" or "to contrast with" can be used as alternatives, it's important to distinguish it from "to differ with", which refers to disagreement. Using "to differ from" effectively involves clearly specifying what is being compared to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be distinct from

Emphasizes the unique and separate nature of something.

to contrast with

Highlights a direct comparison showing clear differences.

to vary from

Suggests a slight difference or deviation.

to diverge from

Indicates a branching off or moving in a different direction.

to deviate from

Highlights a departure from a standard or expected path.

to depart from

Implies a more significant separation or abandonment of something.

to stand apart from

Suggests a noticeable separation or independence.

to disagree with

Emphasizes a difference in opinion or viewpoint.

to bear no resemblance to

Implies a complete lack of similarity.

to have nothing in common with

Indicates a fundamental lack of shared characteristics.

FAQs

How do I use "to differ from" in a sentence?

Use "to differ from" to show how two or more things are not the same. For example, "The climate in the north tends "to differ from" the climate in the south."

What's the difference between "to differ from" and "to differ with"?

"To differ from" means to be unlike or dissimilar, while "to differ with" means to disagree. Use "to differ from" when describing variations, and "to differ with" when discussing conflicting opinions.

What can I say instead of "to differ from"?

You can use alternatives like "to vary from", "to contrast with", or "to be distinct from" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something "differs from"?

Yes, for clarity, it's best to specify what the subject "differs from". Omitting this can make the sentence vague. For instance, instead of saying "The approach differed", specify "The approach "to differ from" the standard method."