Understanding the Distinction Between Different From and Different Than

Difference Between “Different From” and “Different Than”

History

Long ago, people mostly said “different from” in English. But in some places, like America, people started saying “different than”. Both are right to use, but “different from” is older.

How to Use Them

“Different from” is the more common way in British English. “Different than” is more common in American English. They mean the same thing, but they are used a bit differently.

Different From

Use “different from” when you compare two things.

• Apples are different from oranges.
• My house is different from yours.
• His answer is different from mine.
• School today is different from school in the past.
• This game is different from the one we played yesterday.

Different Than

Use “different than” when you compare different actions or say longer phrases.

• It looks different than it did before.
• She thinks differently than he does.
• The test was easier than I thought.
• Living in the city is different than living in the country.
• My idea is different than what he suggested.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Remember, if you are just naming things, use “different from”. If you are comparing actions or longer ideas, use “different than”. In England, “different from” is more common. In America, both ways are used, but “different than” might show up more.

Summary

“Different from” is the older and more common way, especially in British English, to compare two things. “Different than” is more common in American English when comparing actions or longer ideas. Both can be used, but knowing when to use each helps you speak and write better.