Different from/than/to

[HVS]

The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.

Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.

When I'm writing the sort of reports that I write, I'm trying to transmit
meaning rather than to open a grammar or usage argument, and so I try to
avoid forms that potentially trigger outraged offence. (Even if the disputed
usage is entirely defendable, I'd rather not have a discussion of, say, which
form of dormer window is historically appropriate for Georgian buildings
sidetracked down the rabbit-hole into an argument about "correct" usage.)

Because of the long thread on this, I'm currently aware that "different
from" is the non-outrage-triggering form. I'm willing to bet, though, that
in a few months' time I'll have forgotten it, and will once more have to haul
down Fowler's to check it again.

Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)

[Richard Yates]

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.
When I'm writing the sort of reports that I write, I'm trying to transmit
meaning rather than to open a grammar or usage argument, and so I try to
avoid forms that potentially trigger outraged offence. (Even if the disputed
usage is entirely defendable, I'd rather not have a discussion of, say, which
form of dormer window is historically appropriate for Georgian buildings
sidetracked down the rabbit-hole into an argument about "correct" usage.)
Because of the long thread on this, I'm currently aware that "different
from" is the non-outrage-triggering form. I'm willing to bet, though, that
in a few months' time I'll have forgotten it, and will once more have to haul
down Fowler's to check it again.
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)

Maybe "different" and "from" both have "f"s. Or remember the
alliterative "frent-from". (If you then start misspelling "different"
I can't help you; you're on your own.)

[HVS]

-snip-

Post by Richard Yates

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is
"different from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in
an alphabetical list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my
mind.)

Maybe "different" and "from" both have "f"s. Or remember the
alliterative "frent-from". (If you then start misspelling "different"
I can't help you; you're on your own.)

That's very useful; thanks. (I think I insert a vestigial third syllable in
there, so I'll try not to spell it diffrently...)

[Peter T. Daniels]

Post by HVS

Post by Richard Yates

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is
"different from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in
an alphabetical list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my
mind.)

Maybe "different" and "from" both have "f"s. Or remember the
alliterative "frent-from". (If you then start misspelling "different"
I can't help you; you're on your own.)

That's very useful; thanks. (I think I insert a vestigial third syllable in
there, so I'll try not to spell it diffrently...)

Unfortunately the orthographic mnemonic could also lead you to the one Brits
don't like (ends with n) and the one Americans don't like (ends with o).

[Richard Heathfield]

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.

<snip>

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)

Perhaps you can fall back on good old etymology.

"Differ" comes from "dis-" (from, away, apart) and "fero" (I bring, I
carry, I bear).

Thus, "I carry (away) FROM".

The "di-" prefix is very often used for something that is getting
further away FROM another thing. "Diverge" (one path gets further FROM
another), "disarray" (the room is getting further FROM being tidy),
"disarm" (the arms are carried away FROM the person who had them), and
so on. When you disarm someone, you aren't taking arms /to/ them or
/than/ them, but /from/ them.

Doth that helpst?

[Whiskers]

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.
When I'm writing the sort of reports that I write, I'm trying to transmit
meaning rather than to open a grammar or usage argument, and so I try to
avoid forms that potentially trigger outraged offence. (Even if the disputed
usage is entirely defendable, I'd rather not have a discussion of, say, which
form of dormer window is historically appropriate for Georgian buildings
sidetracked down the rabbit-hole into an argument about "correct" usage.)
Because of the long thread on this, I'm currently aware that "different
from" is the non-outrage-triggering form. I'm willing to bet, though, that
in a few months' time I'll have forgotten it, and will once more have to haul
down Fowler's to check it again.
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)

'Different' has moved away from being 'the same'.

[Janet]

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

Feathers are different from fur but they all have an F.


Janet.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?

I can't see how "than" applies.

[HVS]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm
asking for suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different
from/than/to" people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm
reading or hearing it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which
one form is the one that annoys some people to a quite remarkable
extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

As I explained, apart from adopting the non-controversial form so that I'm
not waving red rags in front of people who get upset about it, I really,
honestly could not care less about the rationale for objecting to "different
than", and I have zero interest in debating the issue.

Sorry.

[grabber]

Post by HVS

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm
asking for suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different
from/than/to" people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm
reading or hearing it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which
one form is the one that annoys some people to a quite remarkable
extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

As I explained, apart from adopting the non-controversial form so that I'm
not waving red rags in front of people who get upset about it, I really,
honestly could not care less about the rationale for objecting to "different
than", and I have zero interest in debating the issue.

Yebbut I think grandadkipling's point is not that this is necessarily a
"correct" argument for preferring "from" but a potentially memorable
one, which is what you say you are in need of.

[HVS]

Post by grabber

Post by HVS

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm
asking for suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different
from/than/to" people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm
reading or hearing it. Consequently, I have trouble

remembering which

Post by grabber

Post by HVS

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
one form is the one that annoys some people to a quite

remarkable

Post by grabber

Post by HVS

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

As I explained, apart from adopting the non-controversial form so that I'm
not waving red rags in front of people who get upset about it, I really,
honestly could not care less about the rationale for objecting to "different
than", and I have zero interest in debating the issue.

Yebbut I think grandadkipling's point is not that this is

necessarily a

Post by grabber
"correct" argument for preferring "from" but a potentially

memorable

Post by grabber
one, which is what you say you are in need of.

How embarrassing - I missed that entirely; you're absolutely right.

Many apologies.

[Peter Duncanson [BrE]]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

I've not met the phrase "to differ than".

I have met "different than".

It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
describing specific differences.
For example:

He is taller than her.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
Fred is more intelligent that Jim.
etc.

Those are cases of one person being in some way "different than" someone
else.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]

Post by g***@gmail.com
The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

I've not met the phrase "to differ than".
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
describing specific differences.
He is taller than her.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
Fred is more intelligent that Jim.
etc.
Those are cases of one person being in some way "different than" someone
else.

They are different FROM others because of their height. But their heights do not differ THAN other people's heights.

Sven is taller THAN Milosz; in that respect he differs FROM Milosz. In other words, Sven is different FROM Milosz.

The -er endings show comparison within one scale of measurement.
If people differ from others, we don't know how they differ.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]

Post by g***@gmail.com
The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

I've not met the phrase "to differ than".
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
describing specific differences.
He is taller than her.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
Fred is more intelligent that Jim.
etc.
Those are cases of one person being in some way "different than" someone
else.

They are different FROM others because of their height. But their heights do not differ THAN other people's heights.
Sven is taller THAN Milosz; in that respect he differs FROM Milosz. In other words, Sven is different FROM Milosz.

I wish I had stopped just here --- ;-)

[Harrison Hill]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]

Post by g***@gmail.com
The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

I've not met the phrase "to differ than".
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
describing specific differences.
He is taller than her.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
Fred is more intelligent that Jim.
etc.
Those are cases of one person being in some way "different than" someone
else.

They are different FROM others because of their height. But their heights do not differ THAN other people's heights.

I cannot make any sense of that, and have no idea what is it trying
to say :(

Post by g***@gmail.com
Sven is taller THAN Milosz; in that respect he differs FROM Milosz. In other words, Sven is different FROM Milosz.

That I understand and is good BrE.

Post by g***@gmail.com
The -er endings show comparison within one scale of measurement.
If people differ from others, we don't know how they differ.

[Peter Moylan]

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
describing specific differences.
He is taller than her.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
Fred is more intelligent that Jim.
etc.

These are all examples of using a comparative. That means you have
produced an argument that supports using "more different than".

(Not that there are many situations where you would want to say that;
but in those few situations it is perfectly correct.)

[Mark Brader]

Post by Peter Moylan

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
He is taller than her...

These are all examples of using a comparative. That means you have
produced an argument that supports using "more different than".

As you know, "than" can also be a conjunction:

He is taller than she is.

Now consider:

1. He does it differently than Peter would.
2. He does it differently than Peter.
3. His method is different than Peter's.

I assume nobody objects to 1. My personal suspicion is that this gave
rise to 2 and in turn to 3.

[Athel Cornish-Bowden]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
He is taller than her...

These are all examples of using a comparative. That means you have
produced an argument that supports using "more different than".

He is taller than she is.
1. He does it differently than Peter would.
2. He does it differently than Peter.
3. His method is different than Peter's.
I assume nobody objects to 1.

Hmm. If you assume that you've lived in North America too long.

Post by Mark Brader
My personal suspicion is that this gave
rise to 2 and in turn to 3.

[Mark Brader]

Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden

Post by Mark Brader
I assume nobody objects to 1.

Hmm. If you assume that you've lived in North America too long.

If I assume that, then what? :-)

[s***@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 2:49:19 AM UTC-8, Mark Brader wrote:

[sig-nificant comment]

Post by Mark Brader
"To a guy, an RGB value is three bits rather than bytes.
...000 Black, 001 Blue, 010 Green, ..., 111 White."

This system seems to be missing four values easily distinguished
by many guys:

Chrome, Rust, Primergray, and Primerblack.

/dps "pin-tucked isn't a color, though"

[Snidely]

Post by s***@gmail.com
[sig-nificant comment]

Post by Mark Brader
"To a guy, an RGB value is three bits rather than bytes.
...000 Black, 001 Blue, 010 Green, ..., 111 White."

This system seems to be missing four values easily distinguished
Chrome, Rust, Primergray, and Primerblack.

Oh, and Olive Drab

Post by s***@gmail.com
/dps "pin-tucked isn't a color, though"

[John Varela]

On Wed, 22 Nov 2017 07:43:04 UTC, Athel Cornish-Bowden

Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden

Post by Mark Brader
1. He does it differently than Peter would.
2. He does it differently than Peter.
3. His method is different than Peter's.
I assume nobody objects to 1.

Hmm. If you assume that you've lived in North America too long.

I take it you do object to 1. How would you express that thought?

[Peter Moylan]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

Post by Peter Duncanson [BrE]
I have met "different than".
It is possible that people use it becuse "than" is correctly used in
He is taller than her...

These are all examples of using a comparative. That means you have
produced an argument that supports using "more different than".

He is taller than she is.
1. He does it differently than Peter would.
2. He does it differently than Peter.
3. His method is different than Peter's.
I assume nobody objects to 1. My personal suspicion is that this gave
rise to 2 and in turn to 3.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

My spontaneous version of 1 would be "He does it differently from the
way Peter does."

[Mark Brader]

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

[Richard Tobin]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

"from how".

-- Richard

[Mark Brader]

Post by Richard Tobin

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

(Oh, by the way, this means that I *do* do it differently than Peter would.
QED!)

Post by Richard Tobin

Post by Mark Brader
Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

"from how".

Too many words!

[Peter Moylan]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Richard Tobin

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

(Oh, by the way, this means that I *do* do it differently than Peter would.
QED!)

Post by Richard Tobin

Post by Mark Brader
Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

"from how".

Too many words!

If that were our criterion for correctness, we'd have a lot of cryptic
sentences.

[Dingbat]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

... but you can say "He does it differently from how Peter would".

[Katy Jennison]

Post by Dingbat

Post by Mark Brader

Post by Peter Moylan

1. He does it differently than Peter would...
I assume nobody objects to 1.

I would object rather strenuously to 1. I accept that some people do say
that, but not where I live.

Huh? You can't say "He does it differently from Peter would"!
It has to be "than".

... but you can say "He does it differently from how Peter would".

I wouldn't notice anything strange about a plain "He does it differently
from Peter."

[m***@att.net]

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

Have ya come across 'to differ to'? Doesn't apply either, by that 'test'.

[Dingbat]

Post by g***@gmail.com

I'm not fussed which form of "different from/than/to" people use, and I
don't notice which one's used. Consequently, I have trouble remembering
which annoys people.

The verb phrase is "to differ from".
Have you come across the phrase "to differ than"?
I can't see how "than" applies.

A page on American Heritage Dictionary's website says:

My grandmother looks different than I remember.
My grandmother looks different from that old photograph of her.

When what follows is a clause, than can be the more elegant choice:
From works best when what follows is a noun or noun phrase:

http://www.dictionary.com/e/different-from-or-different-than/


The British use 'different to' (the ones who don't always use 'different
from'). Perhaps they have an explanation for when 'different to' seems
more elegant to them than 'different from'. They don't use 'different
than'. So how can the American express AHD's 1st example to the
British? The canonical way, that would make sense to Americans too, is:

My grandmother looks different from what I remember.

[Mark Brader]

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

[Peter Moylan]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

Sorry. I should have read to the end of the thread.

This is always a dilemma for me. Should I read ahead to avoid making a
point that someone else has already made, or should I reply while I can
still remember which post I wanted to reply to?

[musika]

Post by Peter Moylan

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

Sorry. I should have read to the end of the thread.
This is always a dilemma for me. Should I read ahead to avoid making a
point that someone else has already made, or should I reply while I can
still remember which post I wanted to reply to?

I would say, always read ahead. When you read a post you want to reply
to - mark it as Unread or add a Star and go back to it at the end.

[Joy Beeson]

On Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:21:36 +1100, Peter Moylan

Post by Peter Moylan
This is always a dilemma for me. Should I read ahead to avoid making a
point that someone else has already made, or should I reply while I can
still remember which post I wanted to reply to?

You can do both. I started this message, then saved it as a draft.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, having read the rest of the thread, I'm going to send it.

[Athel Cornish-Bowden]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

My teachers learned me that one as well.

[Peter Moylan]

Post by Athel Cornish-Bowden

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

My teachers learned me that one as well.

My teachers learned me to talk proper.

[HVS]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

That's useful ; thanks, Mark.

[Dingbat]

Post by Mark Brader

Post by HVS
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"?

My mother learned a mnemonic: "similar TO, different FROM".

I like punny tricks.

Defer to vs differ from.

... or deferential to vs different from.

[Peter Moylan]

Post by HVS
Because of the long thread on this, I'm currently aware that "different
from" is the non-outrage-triggering form. I'm willing to bet, though, that
in a few months' time I'll have forgotten it, and will once more have to haul
down Fowler's to check it again.
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)

"Different from" is the opposite of "similar to".
to = closer from = further away

[s***@my-deja.com]

Post by HVS
The thread on this has reminded me of a recurring problem, so I'm asking for
suggestions.
Personally, I'm not remotely fussed which form of "different from/than/to"
people use, and I don't notice which one's used when I'm reading or hearing
it. Consequently, I have trouble remembering which one form is the one that
annoys some people to a quite remarkable extent, and which one isn't.
When I'm writing the sort of reports that I write, I'm trying to transmit
meaning rather than to open a grammar or usage argument, and so I try to
avoid forms that potentially trigger outraged offence. (Even if the disputed
usage is entirely defendable, I'd rather not have a discussion of, say, which
form of dormer window is historically appropriate for Georgian buildings
sidetracked down the rabbit-hole into an argument about "correct" usage.)
Because of the long thread on this, I'm currently aware that "different
from" is the non-outrage-triggering form. I'm willing to bet, though, that
in a few months' time I'll have forgotten it, and will once more have to haul
down Fowler's to check it again.
Anyone suggest a trick for remembering that the form I want is "different
from"? (ISTR trying "it's the one that would come first in an alphabetical
list of possibilities", but that didn't stick in my mind.)
--
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng (30yrs) and BrEng (34yrs), indiscriminately mixed

you have stated that you are looking for the correct FORM

Think of an anagram