It was different from what I thought. vs It was different than what I thought.

Both phrases are commonly used in English, but there is a slight difference in usage. 'It was different from what I thought.' is more commonly used and considered more formal. 'It was different than what I thought.' is also correct but is more informal and less preferred in formal writing.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 10400 views

It was different from what I thought.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is commonly used to express that something was not as expected or anticipated.

Examples:

The movie was different from what I thought it would be.
The reality was different from what I had imagined.
The outcome was different from what I had predicted.

Show examples from the web [+]

He's a little different from what I thought.
- Go to a different thought.
I had a completely different thought.
I had a slightly different thought.
- He's different than I thought.
But it looks much different than I thought.
Difference... from what I thought you would be.
Well, sometimes when I get mad I find out it's about something different than what I thought.
Now, a completely different thought.
I realized all the people are different and we all have different thoughts.
Now, a completely different thought. I'm always imagining myself in different situations. I'm imagining myself as a machine.
I remember, for example, sitting up one night on guard outside my parents' room to protect them from what I thought was a genuine threat from the voices.
And it was completely different from what I'd known before.
It was quite different from what I'd been used to alone.
Sometimes, it's just for a different one than you thought.
You'll find reality to be quite a bit different than you thought.
I thought my spinal fluid was different from yours, but they're identical.
Could I separate what I thought about her from what I thought about Matty?
Could I separate what I thought about her from what I thought about Matty?
I thought it was different with her.

Alternatives:

It was different from what I expected.
It was not what I thought it would be.
It was not as I had imagined.
It was not what I had predicted.
It was not what I had in mind.

It was different than what I thought.

This phrase is correct but more informal and less preferred in formal writing.

This phrase is also used to express that something was not as expected or anticipated, but it is more informal than using 'from'.

Examples:

The movie was different than I thought it would be.
The reality was different than I had imagined.
The outcome was different than I had predicted.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, sometimes when I get mad I find out it's about something different than what I thought.
Turns out my dream job is way different than what I thought it would be.
- He's different than I thought.
But it looks much different than I thought.
That's worse than what I thought.
the system is much more than what I thought.
You know, this whole crime fighting thing is much harder than what I thought.
He's a little different from what I thought.
- Go to a different thought.
I had a completely different thought.
I had a slightly different thought.
You'll find reality to be quite a bit different than you thought.
Now, a completely different thought.
I realized all the people are different and we all have different thoughts.
It was a little different than what I expected.
I thought Travis was different than the other guys.
Now, a completely different thought. I'm always imagining myself in different situations. I'm imagining myself as a machine.
Sometimes, it's just for a different one than you thought.
I thought it was different with her.
It's different than what I expected.

Alternatives:

It was different from what I thought.
It was not what I thought it would be.
It was not as I had imagined.
It was not what I had predicted.
It was not what I had in mind.

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It was different from what I thought. vs It was different than what I thought.