Use different from in both British and American English — it is always safe and widely accepted (this is different from what I expected). “Different to” is also correct and common in British English, while “different than” is common, especially before a clause, in American English.
The Core Difference
“Different from” is grammatically the most universally accepted form across all varieties of English, and it is the safest choice in formal and academic writing: this model is different from the previous one.
“Different to” is common and accepted in British English, especially in speech, while “different than” is common in American English, particularly before a clause with a subject and verb: it's different than I remembered.
- universally correct, all varieties → different from: different from the original plan
- British informal → different to; American, before a clause → different than
Different From, To, and Than in Context
This restaurant is completely different from the one we visited last year.
Her approach is different to her colleague's (British English).
The results were different than we expected (American English).
My opinion is different from yours on this matter.
The new design is different from the old one, though some say it's not that different to the original after all.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✗ this is more different as the last one | ✓ this is different from the last one | correct preposition needed after “different” |
| ✗ her results was different from mine | ✓ her results were different from mine | subject-verb agreement, plural “results” |
| ✗ it's different that I expected (in formal writing, US) | ✓ it's different from what I expected / different than I expected | “from what” or “than” before a clause, not “that” |
| ✗ this differs than the earlier version | ✓ this differs from the earlier version | the verb “differ” always takes “from”, not “than” |
| ✗ completely different with the plan | ✓ completely different from the plan | standard preposition is “from”, not “with” |
DIFFERENT FROM is the safe, universal choice — when in doubt, always default to “from”, since it works everywhere and in every style guide. TO is British, THAN often comes before a clause — remember: “than” pairs naturally with comparisons that have their own subject and verb.
Related Questions
- Different From vs Different To — full confusing-words comparison page with additional examples and exercises.
- All Confusing Words — browse all 300+ word-pair guides.
- All Questions — more quick-answer pages.
- Grammar Quiz — test your knowledge of confusing word pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which preposition is safest to use after different in formal writing?
“Different from” is the safest and most universally accepted choice in formal and academic writing across all varieties of English, since it is never considered incorrect.
Is different to acceptable in British English?
Yes — “different to” is widely used and accepted in British English, especially in everyday speech and less formal writing, though “different from” remains more common in formal contexts.
Is different than correct in American English?
Yes — “different than” is common and accepted in American English, particularly when followed by a full clause: “The results were different than we expected”, where “different from what we expected” would otherwise require an extra “what”.
Why do style guides often prefer different from?
Because “differ” as a verb only takes “from” (this differs from that), many style guides recommend “different from” for consistency with the verb form, treating “to” and “than” as more casual or regional alternatives.
Does the verb differ ever take to or than?
No — the verb “differ” only takes “from”: “his opinion differs from mine.” “Differs to” or “differs than” are not standard, even though the adjective “different” can take “to” or “than” in some varieties.
Is different than always wrong in British English?
It's less common and often considered less correct in traditional British style guides, though it does appear, especially before a clause. “Different from” or “different to” are generally preferred in British English.
Can different from be followed by a clause too?
Yes, though it usually requires “what”: “The outcome was different from what I expected.” Without “what”, “different from I expected” would be ungrammatical, which is one reason “different than” is convenient before clauses.
Is this distinction a matter of dialect rather than correctness?
Largely, yes — all three forms (from, to, than) are used by educated native speakers, and the “correct” choice often depends more on regional convention and register than on strict grammatical rule.
Which form should ESL learners default to?
Learners are generally advised to default to “different from”, since it is accepted everywhere, avoids regional inconsistency, and matches the only correct preposition for the related verb “differ from”.
Is this distinction tested in international English exams?
Yes — awareness that “different from” is the universally safe choice, while “to” and “than” vary by region, is a useful precision point in IELTS and Cambridge exams, which accept all three but reward consistent, confident use.