differently from vs differently than

Both "differently from" and "differently than" are commonly used in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Differently from" is more commonly used when making comparisons between two things, while "differently than" is used when making distinctions or pointing out differences in behavior or manner. Both phrases are correct, but their usage depends on the context.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1191 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when making comparisons between two things.

"differently from"

Use "differently from" when comparing two things or pointing out differences in characteristics or attributes.

Examples:

She thinks differently from her sister.
His approach is different from mine.
The new model is designed differently from the old one.

Show examples from the web [+]

But he wanted to live differently from us so he decided to burn these churches.
Children behave differently from one minute to the next.
These issues are viewed differently from one country to another, according to their culture.
We need to approach this tragedy differently from any other and explore the use of new specialist teams in those countries.
The doors merely work differently from the ones you know.
Because for centuries, glamour had a very particular meaning, and the word was actually used differently from the way we think of it.
I should also like to ask those who regard GMOs differently from myself to reflect for a moment.
Furthermore, Europe does not have the right to treat Russia differently from other countries that are also in breach of human rights.
I must admit I see the question of a world market orientation rather differently from the way it was presented a moment ago.
At all events, we want to see table wines labelled differently from quality wines.
Asylum legislation and practices still differ between Member States and the asylum applicants are treated differently from one country to another.
This is a good idea, but it is still only optional, and it will be applied differently from one country to another.
He just carried himself differently from other children.
You start thinking differently from how you did in the city.
You know it works differently from other kids' minds.
I spice it differently from the store-bought kind
Things have developed very differently from what we expected just over a year ago.
We voted differently from the majority of our group on the resolution on Kosovo.
In turn, he observed me differently from other young men.
I tried to make you live differently from me.

Alternatives:

in a different way from
in a different manner from
contrary to
unlike
not like

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when making distinctions or pointing out differences in behavior or manner.

"differently than"

Use "differently than" when highlighting differences in behavior, manner, or approach.

Examples:

He behaves differently than his brother.
She sings differently than she used to.
The team performed differently than expected.

Show examples from the web [+]

I think he's handling it differently than you.
I have been treating Becky differently than all the other kids at this school when I probably should've just treated her like everybody else.
You're just wired differently than everyone else.
These people think differently than normal people.
Now, sometimes these things play out differently than we anticipate.
Just because a girl chooses to live her life differently than you do Doesn't mean she's automatically barefoot and pregnant.
We look at Central Asia differently than we did a few years ago.
If things happened differently than you said at the hotel I don't care what your lawyer told you, it will come down on you.
I think I maybe see you a little differently than you see yourself.
The Ancient technology works differently than ours.
He thinks differently than most people.
Male brains confront challenges differently than female brains.
Your cells react to bacteria and viruses differently than mine.
Is there anything that you wish you had done differently than...
I just fight differently than you.
Thus PCT does not have any competitive advantage and is not treated differently than other companies.
I always wanted to conduct myself differently than he did.
Clinical studies did not include a sufficient number of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients.
I work a little differently than her.
She experiences life very differently than we do, Gaius.

Alternatives:

in a different way than
in a different manner than
contrary to
unlike
not like

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differently from vs differently than