Which is the proper phrase, "different to" or "different from"?
2023-06-26
This is what goPenpal answered
"Different from" is the standard phrase used in American English, while "different to" is typically used in British English. However, language is not stagnant but evolving. Allow me to elaborate. Imagine a river, and each droplet of water is a word, flowing and changing, adapting to the surrounding terrain. Over time, a phrase used in one part of the world may migrate, like water moving downstream, and become part of another language or dialect. So, "different to" and "different from" are variations of the same meaning, diverging like tributaries, but both still holding water in terms of proper grammar. Despite language authorities endorsing "different from" in American English, some language enthusiasts still argue for the use of "different than" especially in certain contexts. As with many rules in the English language, the most important thing is communication. If the meaning is understood, then the objective of language has been achieved, just like a river eventually reaching its vast destination, the ocean. Remember, language is fluid, so don't be afraid to ride the waves.
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