unlike ours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlike ours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something that is different from what belongs to the speaker or their group. Example: "Their approach to problem-solving is innovative, unlike ours, which tends to be more traditional."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Europeans should be pleased that it has bills sized by value (unlike ours) and has numerals on each coin (unlike ours).

The New York Times

Our results may not contradict these findings because their stimuli, unlike ours, were narrow-band or low-pass filtered and were more deeply amplitude-modulated as a result.

Plosone

"And their economy, unlike ours, is booming".

The New York Times

Therefore they were constructed by an intelligence not unlike ours, for the purpose of husbanding and distributing scarce water.

Nature

Their manicures, unlike ours, will only last until Monday morning, when they swab us clean with nail polish remover.

The New York Times

"Frankly, many of these textbooks, unlike ours, were not written by the authors who were once involved with them," he said.

The New York Times - Books

But I also know your nation, unlike ours, has an impressively long view of history.

Forbes

A majority of the previous studies, unlike ours, were not conducted in hospital settings and were based on retrospective data that are known to be profoundly affected by recall bias and collected at the aggregated level [6, 9, 10, 26, 27].

Health Economics Review

Fish brains are very unlike ours, and the more alien a mind is, the less we are able to empathize.

Huffington Post

What were once objects of affection, portals into a world both like and unlike ours, are now cast-offs that remind us of simpler days, happier times.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We want to emphasize here that, whereas other SV-image restoration techniques use the SVD for directly inverting a linear SV blur, these previous methods--unlike ours--applied the SVD to the matrix made of the IKs/PSFs kernels at their original spatial locations.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlike ours", ensure that the context clearly establishes what "ours" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the comparison is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "unlike ours" when the subject of comparison is not clearly defined or understood by the audience. Always ensure there is a clear reference point for what "ours" represents to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlike ours" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves as an adjectival modifier, providing contrast or distinction. It is used to compare and differentiate something from a reference point, typically something belonging to or associated with the speaker or a defined group. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unlike ours" is a grammatically correct and versatile construction used to draw comparisons and emphasize differences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across diverse contexts. Primarily functioning as an adjectival modifier, it often appears in scientific, news, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, define "ours" adequately. Consider alternatives such as "in contrast to ours" or "dissimilar to ours" for varied expression. The phrase is effective for highlighting distinctions while maintaining a neutral to formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to ours

Emphasizes a direct opposition or dissimilarity.

differing from ours

Highlights a difference without necessarily implying opposition.

dissimilar to ours

Focuses on the lack of resemblance or similarity.

not the same as ours

States a simple lack of identity or equivalence.

as opposed to ours

Suggests a direct comparison, often with conflicting characteristics.

distinct from ours

Indicates a clear and recognizable difference.

unlike what we have

Generalizes the comparison to an existing state.

different than ours

Highlights the disparity in characteristics

not like ours

Simplifies the comparison, focusing on the absence of shared qualities.

contrary to what we have

Presents a more assertive and potentially oppositional contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "unlike ours" in a sentence?

Use "unlike ours" to contrast something with a characteristic or feature of something your group possesses or is associated with. For example, "Their curriculum, "unlike ours", includes mandatory field work."

What are some alternatives to saying "unlike ours"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in contrast to ours", "dissimilar to ours", or "different from ours", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "unlike ours" and "different than ours"?

While both phrases indicate a difference, "unlike ours" is generally considered more formal. "Different than ours" is more common in informal settings, but "unlike ours" is always grammatically correct.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "unlike ours"?

Avoid using "unlike ours" when the point of comparison is vague or undefined. Ensure your audience understands what "ours" refers to to avoid confusion. For instance, if you haven't already clarified what "ours" signifies, the comparison might lack clarity.