Different from or Different than: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: You often wonder whether to use different from or different than in your writing. The short answer is that different from is always safe and correct. However, different than is also common in American English, especially when followed by a clause.

The Short Answer

Different from is always safe, while different than is common in American English. Both forms are widely understood, but choosing the right one depends on your audience and the structure of your sentence.

People confuse these two phrases because they serve the same grammatical function. The choice often comes down to regional preference and whether you are comparing nouns or entire clauses, leading to frequent hesitation among writers.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
different from	Always safe	Comparing nouns or noun phrases in any context.
different than	Common in US	Followed by a clause or verb phrase for smoother flow.
different to	British English	Writing for a UK or Commonwealth audience exclusively.
different	Adjective	Describing a distinction without an explicit comparison.

Correct Example Sentences

My new laptop is different from the old one I used last year.
The strategy we adopted is different than what they proposed earlier.
Her painting style is different from traditional realism techniques.
This recipe tastes different than the one we had at the restaurant.
The final product is different from the initial prototype we designed.
His opinion is different than yours regarding the new policy changes.
The weather today is different from what we experienced yesterday.
The solution is different than how we usually handle this problem.
Her approach is different from the methods used by her colleagues.
The outcome was different than we expected based on previous data.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The results are different than the control group.: The results are different from the control group.
Her idea is different from what I suggested.: Her idea is different than what I suggested.
This phone is different than my old device.: This phone is different from my old device.
The rules are different from how we play now.: The rules are different than how we play now.
His car is different than the neighbor's sedan.: His car is different from the neighbor's sedan.
The texture is different from what I ordered.: The texture is different than what I ordered.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check what follows the word different. If a noun or noun phrase comes next, use different from. If a full clause with a verb follows, different than is acceptable and often sounds more natural in American English.

Related Word Pairs

Less than vs. fewer than: Use fewer than for countable items and less than for uncountable quantities.
Who vs. whom: Use who as the subject of a sentence and whom as the object.
Its vs. it's: Use its for possession and it's as a contraction for it is.
Effect vs. affect: Use effect as a noun and affect as a verb in most cases.
Then vs. than: Use then for time sequences and than for comparisons.

More Example Sentences

The flavor profile of this tea is different from the herbal blend we drank last week.
His driving style is different than the cautious approach I usually take on icy roads.
The architectural design is different from the sketches originally presented by the firm.
Her reaction to the news was different than I anticipated given her usual composure.
The software update is different from the previous version in terms of user interface.
This vacation spot is different than the busy city centers we typically visit.
The texture of this fabric is different from the smooth silk I ordered online.
His explanation of the rules is different than the official handbook suggests.
The taste of the homemade sauce is different from the bottled variety found in stores.
The team dynamics are different than they were when we first started the project.

Quick Practice

The new policy is from the previous guidelines.

different

Her opinion is I expected it to be.

different

This recipe is from the one my grandmother used.

different

The results were than predicted by the model.

different

His accent is from the local dialect spoken here.

different

The outcome was than we had hoped for.

different

Frequently Asked Questions

Is different than grammatically incorrect?

No, different than is not incorrect, especially in American English. It is widely accepted when followed by a clause, though different from remains the universally safe choice for all contexts.

When should I use different from?

Use different from when you are comparing two nouns or noun phrases. It is the standard form in British English and is considered the most formal and universally accepted option in all varieties.

Can I use different to?

Different to is common in British English and other Commonwealth varieties. If you are writing for an American audience, stick to different from or different than to avoid confusion.

Why do some people prefer different than?

Writers often prefer different than when the comparison involves a complex clause. Using than can make the sentence flow more smoothly and avoid the awkwardness of repeating words or structures.