different from / different than

Print topic Print topic Previous topic  Next topic

In comparisons, use different from.

Avoid different than because sentences that use different than are often hard to read.

However, it’s OK to use differently than.

No:

The result of the first operation is different than the result of the second operation.

Yes:

The result of the first operation is different from the result of the second operation.

Yes:

If the result is different from what you’ve expected, verify your settings.

Yes:

The handling of this instrument is different from the handling of similar instruments.

Yes:

Use instrument B differently than instrument A.