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Navitasan Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Any different

1) I didn't know any different.
2) I didn't know anything different.

Is there a difference between the meanings of these sentences?

Do they both mean I had limited experience and did not have the necessary knowledge?

I think '1' is used, but the way 'any' is used in that sentence seems strange to me. One wouldn't say
c. I didn't know any good.
instead of
d. I didn't know anything good.

Would one?

Gratefully,
Navi.
  

Top answer

One doesn’t usually come across this expression, but although awkward, it is explainable. ” I knew nothing to the contrary. “I didn’t know any different” doesn’t add anything to the meaning.

— Wilpeter

  • One doesn’t usually come across this expression, but although awkward, it is explainable.
  • ” I knew nothing to the contrary.
  • “I didn’t know any different” doesn’t add anything to the meaning.
  • “I didn’t know anything different” stretches the expression without improving it.
  • I don’t believe it implies ‘limited experience’ since there is nothing to confirm any other point of view or knowledge exists.
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1 Answers
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One doesn’t usually come across this expression, but although awkward, it is explainable.
“I didn’t know different” roughly translates to “That was my understanding.” I knew nothing to the contrary.
“I didn’t know any different” doesn’t add anything to the meaning.
“I didn’t know anything different” stretches the expression without improving it.
I don’t believe it implies ‘limited
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