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J Lewis Posted 20 years ago
Linguistics Studies
different from, than or to?
I've just done a google search and found that "different from" is still alive and kicking:
different from - 109,000,000
different than - 10,300,000
different to - 1,710,000
Are others surprised by these figures? What do they find normal? Is there any difference in meaning?
different from - 109,000,000
different than - 10,300,000
different to - 1,710,000
Are others surprised by these figures? What do they find normal? Is there any difference in meaning?
Top answer
I am not suprised as different from is usually considered "correct". Those who consider it correct argue that than should only be used to introduce the second half of a comparison. I think that different than arose as there was felt to be an element of comparison in the word different.
- I am not suprised as different from is usually considered "correct".
- Those who consider it correct argue that than should only be used to introduce the second half of a comparison.
- I think that different than arose as there was felt to be an element of comparison in the word different.
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8 Answers
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I am not suprised as different from is usually considered "correct". Those who consider it correct argue that than should only be used to introduce the second half of a comparison. I think that different than arose as there was felt to be an element of comparison in the word different.
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That's my view too, but I've seen "different than" enough times on this forum to think there may be alternative views. Let's see.
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I would have said that "comparison" was the essence of "difference"!
The OED gives an example from Goldsmith:
1. The consuls had been elected for very different merits than those of skill in war.
MrP
The OED gives an example from Goldsmith:
1. The consuls had been elected for very different merits than those of skill in war.
MrP
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Here you could also say "other merits than..."
"Other" and "rather" are two words used with "than" without a comparative form in the sentence.
"Other" and "rather" are two words used with "than" without a comparative form in the sentence.
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I also find a difference in focus between "different from" and "different to":
1. A is different from B.
— focus on A.
2. A is different to B.
— focus on B.
This may be a foible though.
MrP
1. A is different from B.
— focus on A.
2. A is different to B.
— focus on B.
This may be a foible though.
MrP
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I should perhaps have said: "...argue that than should only be used to introduce the second half of a comparison when the comparative form of an adjective or adverb is used".
The use of than after rather or sooner and the like is a different use of than and other than just means in addition to.
The use of than after rather or sooner and the like is a different use of than and other than just means in addition to.
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Usage Note: Different from and different than are both common in British and American English. The construction different to is chiefly British. Since the 18th century, language critics have singled out different than as incorrect, though it is well attested in the works of reputable writers. According to traditional guidelines, from is used when the co
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0 Mark Israel in the alt.usage.english FAQ file: 02 br
02 br
00 # "Different from" is the construction that no one will object to. 02 br
00 # "Different to" is fairly common informally in the U.K., but rare in 02 br
00 # the U.S. "Different than" is sometimes used to avoid the cumbersome 02 br
00 # "different from that which", etc.
02 br
00 # "Different from" is the construction that no one will object to. 02 br
00 # "Different to" is fairly common informally in the U.K., but rare in 02 br
00 # the U.S. "Different than" is sometimes used to avoid the cumbersome 02 br
00 # "different from that which", etc.
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