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

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'It was different than I thought' is commonly used in informal speech, while 'It was different from what I thought' is more formal and precise. The choice between them depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 2723 views

It was different than I thought.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal speech.

This phrase is commonly used in informal contexts to express a comparison between the actual situation and one's previous expectations.

Examples:

The movie was different than I thought it would be.
The test was different than I expected.
The outcome was different than I had imagined.

Show examples from the web [+]

- He's different than I thought.
But it looks much different than I thought.
Well, sometimes when I get mad I find out it's about something different than 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.
He's a little different from what I thought.
Now, a completely different thought.
I realized all the people are different and we all have different thoughts.
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.
You're different than I thought you'd be.
She's completely different than I thought she was.
You're so different than I thought you were.
Having a real dog's a lot different than I thought it would be.
I meant, he's different than I thought he would be.
I got to tell you, this is going a lot different than I thought it would.
Dear Evelyn... it's different than I thought it would be here.

Alternatives:

it was different from what I thought.
it was not what I thought.
it was not as I had thought.
it was different from my expectations.
it was different from what I had in mind.

It was different from what I thought.

This phrase is correct and more formal than the first option.

This phrase is more formal and precise, often used in written or formal contexts to express a comparison between the actual situation and one's previous expectations.

Examples:

The reality was different from what I thought.
The result was different from what I had anticipated.
The outcome was different from what I had in mind.

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 than I thought.
it was not what I thought.
it was not as I had thought.
it was different from my expectations.
it was different from what I had in mind.

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