Different means not the same as another person, thing or choice.

The idea

Use different after be or before a plural noun: different ideas. For a comparison, different from is widely used: different from yours.

Examples

  • The two keys are different.
  • My room is different from yours.
  • These buses go to different places.
  • We have different ideas.
  • Her new job is different from her old one.
  • The two answers look the same, but they are different.

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Watch out

Different from is a common comparison; some speakers also use different to or different than, depending on variety and context.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the adjective meaning not the same. One key is red and the other is blue. They are ___. (different / identical)

    Show answer or example answer

    different

    Different says the keys are not the same.

  2. Choose the common preposition in this comparison. My room is different ___ yours. (from / into)

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    from

    From introduces the thing being compared.

  3. Choose the adjective before the noun ideas. We have ___ ideas. (different / differently)

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    different

    Different goes before the plural noun ideas.

Use it today

Describe two different objects and compare one with the other.