. While the two words are closely related and share the same root meaning, they serve completely different grammatical functions within a sentence. Here is a complete breakdown of when to use each one correctly.
What Is the Basic Difference
Different is an adjective, used to describe or modify a noun. Differently is an adverb, used to describe or modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Choosing the correct form depends entirely on what part of the sentence you are modifying.
Quick Definition
| Word | Part of Speech | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Different | Adjective | Describes a noun |
| Differently | Adverb | Describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb |
Example
Different: “They have different opinions on the matter”
Differently: “They handled the situation differently”
What Does Different Mean
Different describes something that is not the same as something else, typically modifying a noun directly within a sentence.
Example Sentences
- “She wore a different dress to the party”
- “We have different tastes in music”
- “This recipe uses a different method than the original”
In each of these examples, different directly describes a noun, dress, tastes, and method, identifying that these items are not the same as something else.
What Does Differently Mean
Differently describes how an action is performed, typically modifying a verb to explain that something is done in a way that is not the same as another approach.
Example Sentences
- “He approached the problem differently than his colleague”
- “She sees the world differently now”
- “The two teams played differently in the second half”
In these examples, differently modifies the verbs approached, sees, and played, describing how each action was carried out.
Different vs Differently Side by Side
Comparing these words directly makes their grammatical roles especially clear.
| Sentence Using Different | Sentence Using Differently |
|---|---|
| “They have different plans” | “They planned differently” |
| “This is a different approach” | “They approached the task differently” |
| “We had different reactions” | “We reacted differently” |
Notice that different always appears directly before a noun, while differently appears near a verb, describing how an action happens.
The Core Grammar Rule
To simplify this rule, it helps to remember one key distinction based on sentence structure.
| Question to Ask | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| Is the word describing a person, place, thing, or idea (a noun)? | Different |
| Is the word describing how an action is performed (a verb)? | Differently |
Quick Test
Example test: “They think ___ about this issue”
Since think is a verb, differently is the correct choice: “They think differently about this issue”
Example test: “They have ___ opinions about this issue”
Since opinions is a noun, different is the correct choice: “They have different opinions about this issue”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake One: Using Different to Describe a Verb
Incorrect: “She sings different than her sister” Correct: “She sings differently than her sister”
Since sings is a verb describing an action, differently is required to correctly modify it.
Mistake Two: Using Differently to Describe a Noun
Incorrect: “They have differently opinions” Correct: “They have different opinions”
Since opinions is a noun, different is the correct choice here, not differently.
Mistake Three: Confusing Comparative Structures
Incorrect: “This works different than expected” Correct: “This works differently than expected”
Since works functions as a verb in this sentence, differently is grammatically required, even though different may sound acceptable in very casual speech.
Different in Common Phrases
Different frequently appears before nouns in a wide variety of everyday expressions.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Different types | “There are different types of apples at the market” |
| Different reasons | “People have different reasons for their choices” |
| Different perspectives | “Everyone brought different perspectives to the discussion” |
Differently in Common Phrases
Differently frequently appears near verbs describing behavior, thought processes, or actions.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Think differently | “Great leaders often think differently” |
| Act differently | “He started acting differently after the news” |
| See things differently | “As we grow older, we see things differently” |
Different vs Differently in Comparative Sentences
Comparative sentences, especially those using than, are a common area where this mistake occurs, particularly in casual speech.
Example Comparisons
Correct with different (describing a noun): “This is a different situation than before”
Correct with differently (describing a verb): “She handled it differently than before”
Common casual mistake: “She handled it different than before” (technically incorrect, though sometimes heard in relaxed speech)
While some casual speakers occasionally use different instead of differently in comparative sentences, standard written English requires differently whenever a verb is being modified.
Different as Part of a Predicate Adjective
Different can also function as a predicate adjective, appearing after a linking verb like is, was, or seems, while still describing the subject rather than an action.
Example Sentences
- “This restaurant is different from the last one we tried”
- “Her approach seems different this time”
- “The results were different than expected”
In these cases, different remains correct because it still describes a noun or pronoun, specifically the subject of the sentence, rather than modifying a verb.
Formal vs Casual Usage
Both words are used across formal and informal writing, though maintaining the correct grammatical distinction becomes especially important in professional, academic, and published writing.
| Setting | Correct Example |
|---|---|
| Casual conversation | “We think differently about this” |
| Formal writing | “The two studies approached the topic differently” |
| Academic writing | “Participants responded differently under varying conditions” |
Similar Adjective and Adverb Pairs
Different and differently follow a common English pattern, where adjectives often become adverbs by adding -ly.
| Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|
| Different | Differently |
| Quick | Quickly |
| Careful | Carefully |
| Slow | Slowly |
Recognizing this broader pattern can help reinforce when to use an adjective versus an adverb in similar situations.
Quick Reference Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Modifies | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Different | Adjective | Nouns | “They have different goals” |
| Differently | Adverb | Verbs, adjectives, adverbs | “They pursue their goals differently” |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between different and differently? Different is an adjective that describes nouns, while differently is an adverb that describes verbs, explaining how an action is performed.
Can different ever describe a verb? No, different should only be used to describe nouns. When describing how an action happens, differently is the correct choice.
Is it correct to say this works different? No, since works is a verb, the correct phrasing is this works differently.
Why do people sometimes use different instead of differently in casual speech? This often happens because -ly adverbs are sometimes dropped in relaxed, casual speech, even though standard written English requires differently when modifying a verb.
Can different function as a predicate adjective? Yes, different can appear after linking verbs like is or seems, since it still describes the subject rather than modifying an action.
Final Thoughts
While different and differently share the same root meaning, they serve distinct grammatical roles, with different functioning as an adjective describing nouns, and differently functioning as an adverb describing verbs. Understanding this simple but important distinction will help you avoid common grammar mistakes, particularly in comparative sentences, ensuring your writing remains clear, accurate, and grammatically correct in both casual and formal contexts.
