Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
DIFFERENT FROM / DIFFERENT THAN
Different from is generally considered to be the correct term to use. The reason for this is that the word than usually refers to a matter of degree [Abdul is taller than Pedro; Ingrid is a better golfer than Sharona; Akiko understands music theory better than Daniel does, but Daniel is a better violinist than Akiko]. When two people, places, or things are different from each other, they are simply different. End of story. Different from indicates merely difference, not degree of difference.
Incorrect: My apple is red and yours is yellow, therefore my apple is different than yours.
Correct: My apple is red and yours is yellow, therefore my apple is different from yours.
Correct: I am five feet tall and you are six feet tall. You are a foot taller than I, which means that my height is different from yours.
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