Different From / Different Than

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 [Pedro is taller than Abdul; Sharona is a better golfer than Ingrid; Akira understands music theory better than Janet does, but Janet is a better violinist than Akira]. 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 Popsicle is lemon-flavored and yours is cherry, therefore my Popsicle is different than yours.

CORRECT: My Popsicle is lemon-flavored and yours is cherry, therefore my Popsicle is different from yours.

ALSO 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.

© 2023 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

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