difference from vs difference to

Both 'difference from' and 'difference to' are correct; however, they're used in different contexts. 'Difference from' is used when highlighting distinctions or variations between two or more things. On the other hand, 'difference to' is used to emphasize similarities or comparisons between things.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 13, 2024 • 13388 views

difference from

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to highlight distinctions or variations between two or more things.

Use 'difference from' when you want to emphasize the distinctions or variations between two or more things. It indicates the source of the difference.

Examples:

What is the difference from this model to the previous one?
There is a clear difference from his approach to hers.
Can you explain the difference from the original plan?
The difference from the old system to the new one is significant.
I can see the difference from your perspective.

Show examples from the web [+]

Here I discover a big difference from all the other pilgrimage places.
There is indeed one major difference from 2005.
This is their difference from hardtails.
To me in difference from it-service and everyone such is not important.
No, but what a difference from other countries.
What anyway according to me makes the difference from the previous editions of Milano HiEnd is the average sound quality.
Nevertheless really, the main difference from REM - low position of the rod.
This is the big difference from previous networks.
The real difference from the early Radical experiments was the absence of any intellectual or philosophical implications.
This difference from the French version has no serious justification.
Another difference from chess and checkers lies in how the game is going on and win it.
And here again we can see a difference from the worldly interpretation of the passage.
I just wanted to have a look at it to see the difference from mine.
Anyone can make a difference from being in office, it's probably you.
Testing it on a Neumann KM184 I have been able to appreciate the difference from the other cables I use.
Also most internet users today already use Free Software when they open a PDF file in their browser - a huge difference from 2009! says Hannes Hauswedell who started the campaign.
But if you can spot the difference from 30 cm you are a better man than me.
Why so much difference from Monsignor Kaas?
By observing Gewürztraminer we will notice a substantial difference from Pinot Blanc: here the color is evidently golden yellow, which could also sometimes be intense straw yellow.
They have a bright difference from thrust bearings, as they are quite fast, which is ensured by the intensive frequency of rotation of the elements.

Alternatives:

different from
distinct from
unlike
contrasting with
varying from

difference to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize similarities or comparisons between things.

Use 'difference to' when you want to highlight similarities or comparisons between things. It indicates the direction of the difference.