If you wanna say that there is a difference between Thing1 and Thing2, but for whatever reason you don't wanna phrase your sentence like that, but rather say something like "Thing1 is different __________ Thing2".

What would you put in the "__________"? "from"? "than"? Something else entirely?

"From". Although "than" works as well.

I'm trying to think of a case where "than" works better... I guess it would if Thing1 and Thing2 were not nouns... but then they wouldn't be Things, would they?

Apples differ from oranges. Apples are different from oranges.

I can't think of an example where "than" would be used instead.

Abstract nouns?

"Hatred is different than spite."

"Hatred is different from spite."

I think "than" works a little better. But the more I read the two sentences, the less sure I am....

Apples differ from oranges. Apples are different from oranges.

Apples are sweeter than oranges. Apples look different than oranges. Nope, don't think the second one works.

"than" is more of a comparison word, isn't it?

I've overthought it, and now they all look wrong. Let us turn to the Great Goog for answers.

[link]

I did not learn to say whole sentences when I went to Ethiopia. I learned to say "toilet", "hungry", "please", "thank you", "wait", and "it's ok". I would say the first three as statements and as questions.

My handy copy of Fowler's says:

The commonly expressed view that different should only be followed by from and never by to or than is not supportable in the face of past and present evidence or of logic, though the distribution of the constructions is not straightforward

The OED lists examples of each of the three constructions: different from, 1590; different to, 1526; different than, 1644. In the 20th century, a marked preference for "different from" his been shown in British English; in the same period, "different than" has flourished in American English, but so too has "different from."

When are you going? And couldn't you cross that border a bit and come visit here, too?

I leave for Cairo a week from yesterday. Eek! And, alas, I don't think a border crossing is in the cards. I'm going with an art teacher and her husband to visit my father, and I think we have many and assorted plans. All I can remember is the pyramids and the Nile, but there you are.

Today, since it's reached 93 here, I'm trying out the first of my trip clothes -- gauze pants. So far so good -- cool and modest! Of course, I'm also wearing a sleeveless shirt, which I guess I won't be doing there. Haven't quite figured out what I WILL wear there... Suggestions?

It is too bad. For a while, I was wondering if we could set up a meeting, but there seems to be that entire peninsula in the way.

Why is Israel a big blank on Google Maps?

Why is Israel a big blank on Google Maps?

Israel believes that Google Maps would be a boon to terrorists.