Answer: When is it appropriate to use "different from" vs. "different than"?

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

orion117 asks us: When is it appropriate to use “different from” vs. “different than”? Or, as I like to put it: Is “different than” different from “different from”? (Meanwhile, “different to” is standing over in the corner there, all overlooked and forlorn. And rightly so, too, considering it’s a rarely-used variant which will only confuse things here.)

(With examples from Harry Potter)

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage¹ has many interesting things to say on the subject. Originally, “different” was paired with “to” or “unto”, neither of which are used much these days. Unluckily for “different to”, it was to end up derided as incorrect, although often used in speech. This leaves us, naturally, with the alternatives of “different from” and “different than”.

But enough about their sketchy origins – what’s their purpose?

When we use the word “different” we’re signalling an approaching comparison. We have two things which differ in some way and we’re about to explain how. For example:

Harry and Hermione have both cast spells. Whereas Harry’s failed catastrophically, Hermione’s went off without a hitch. They’re different, hence: Harry’s spell was different from Hermione’s.

Why “different from”? What’s wrong with “different than”?

Well, firstly: I’m an Australian. This means I live in a nice warm country with lots of beaches and a slight case of drought. It also means I tend to use “different from” and view “different than” as an American idiosyncrasy.

However, there’s another, less geographically determined, reason for using “different from”. Have a look at this quote from The American Heritage ® Book of English Usage: A Practical and Authoritative Guide to Contemporary English.²

If you want to follow traditional guidelines, use from when the comparison is between two persons or things ...

Since I was comparing two things above (the spells), I used “different from”.  We can also use this phrasing to compare two physical objects:

Hermione’s wand was different from Harry’s.
Ron’s now-smouldering textbook was different from the unopened one on Harry’s desk.

But wait, there’s more:³

Different than is more acceptably used, particularly in American usage, where the object of comparison is expressed by a full clause ...

So we could take our earlier quote and alter it a little, allowing the use of “different than”:

The result of Harry’s spell was different than he’d anticipated it would be.

And then it gets tricky. If your full clause happens to behave like a noun, then you can’t use “than”.

The result of Harry’s spell was different than how it looked in the book. This is incorrect.
     
The result of Harry’s spell was different from how it looked in the book.This is the correct usage.

In this quote, “how it looked in the book” is acting as a noun. Since you can only use “from” when comparing two nouns, “from” is what must be used in this case.

To conclude.

“Different from” should be used when comparing two nouns.

Harry’s low final grade was different from Hermione’s high one.

“Different than” may be used when comparing a noun and a complete clause.

Professor Flitwick’s reaction to Harry’s spell was different than it had been in the past.

It’s worth noting that many sources will urge you always to use “different from”, even though “different than” is commonly employed in American English. If you’re at all uncertain about which one to use, stick with “different from”; it’ll rarely be wrong.



1. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage [Go back]

2., 3. The American Heritage ® Book of English Usage [Go back]

See also:
When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People: How to Avoid Common Errors in English
Is “Different Than” Bad Grammar?

Comments

[theemdash]

I hadn't known that "different than" wasn't used in other countries. And here I'd been scoffing in my head and muttering, "different than," when seeing it used to compare nouns and clauses.

Oh fandom_grammar, the things you teach me! ;)

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

It's sneaking in to the Australian lexicon, but it still sounds odd to me whenever I hear it. fandom_grammar seems to be good for teaching us all new things. :D

[theemdash]

I really do love the cultural differences in the English language and how it develops across cultures.

God, I'm such a nerd.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

It's fascinating, though, because it's the same language, yet not. I love the subtle differences.

[theemdash]

Come, geek through the flowers with me.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

P.S. Can you make an author tag for me? I don't think I have the power to do it.

[theemdash]

Oops! I didn't realize you didn't have one! Done! :D

[rosathome.livejournal.com]

I think, in British English, 'different than' is always wrong. It should be 'different from', though you'll sometimes see 'different to', especially in the full clause situation.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can't see myself using "different than" as an Australian, either - it just sounds so foreign to me. Luckily, "different from" works with everything!

[orion117.livejournal.com]

If you’re at all uncertain about which one to use, stick with “different from”; it’ll rarely be wrong.

I had been following your guideline above without knowing why it was usually right. It's very helpful to see the reasons laid out so clearly.

I didn't know that "different to" had been in use earlier, and also hadn't realized that "different than" was a predominantly American usage. Thank you for your interesting and useful answer to my question!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thanks for asking the question! I learnt quite a few things myself while I was researching it and that's always a good thing.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

This is an area I've always been unsure about; many thanks for clearing it up!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could be of assistance.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_varda/]

Many thanks for this!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome. :)

[remeciel.livejournal.com]

Strangely enough, I've never been taught 'different than' at school (English is not my mother tongue). It seems that either teachers think it's (too)American and drop the subject, or don't bother to teach the difference between both phrases...
Anyway, thanks a lot! :D

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

While I was researching this post, almost every source I went to said: Try not to use "different than"... but if you have to, here's how. There's such a subtle difference between usage that it's probably easier just to teach "different from", since it can be used everywhere.

Glad I could be of use! :)

[sid]

As an American, I can't begin to tell you how strange "different from" sounds!

I certainly can't imagine ever using it in speech. I'd get some strange looks if I did!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Hehe, it probably sounds as strange as "different than" does to me!

[mab-browne.livejournal.com]

I realised that I use 'different to' considerably often in speech, and looking at both of these options felt weird. (NZer, if that helps with linguistics *g*) But I write in an American fandom so the info about the distinctions will be useful, if different to what I'm used to. ;-)

Thanks for an informative post.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I'm a bit the same - sometimes, I find myself about to say "different to" and then I remember my mum teaching me that you use from with different, because it has two Fs.

And you're welcome. :)

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this - it's interesting as we were taught in school 'from or to but never than' with differnt, so I have always ground my teeth listening to Americans say 'different than', but the examples you use make perfect sense - although i must say I'm much more likely to use from anyway! (I'm a Kiwi, btw!)

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I can't really see myself ever using "than", either - it just feels exclusively American to me.

I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)