Different from、different to 還是 different than 呢?

許多人認為 different (不同的) 後面僅能接介系詞 from,不可接 to 或 than。事實上,這個形容詞無論接 from 或接 to,甚至接 than,都是正確的用法。Different 可用來說明兩個人或事物之間的差異,其後通常接 from,但我們亦可使用 different to,尤其是在說話時。例如:

  • Our school is very different from theirs. (我們學校跟他們學校有很大的不同) (正)
    Our school is very different to theirs. (正)
  • The incumbent president is so different from the former president. (現任總統迥異於前任總統) (正)
    The incumbent president is so different to the former president. (正)
  • These results are a bit different from the ones we got three days ago. (這些結果和我們三天前得到的結果有點不同) (正)
    These results are a bit different to the ones we got three days ago. (正)
  • My opinion could hardly be more different from hers. (我的觀點正好和她的完全相反) (正)
    My opinion could hardly be more different to hers. (正)


在美式英語中,口語也經常使用 different than。例如:

  • Amy is completely/entirely different than her elder sister. (艾美跟她姊姊截然不同) (正)
    = Amy is completely/entirely different from her elder sister.
    = Amy is completely/entirely different to her elder sister.
    = Amy and her elder sister are completely/entirely different.
  • American English is slightly/somewhat/subtly different than British English. (美式英語與英式英語略有差異) (正)
    = American English is slightly/somewhat/subtly different from British English.
    = American English is slightly/somewhat/subtly different to British English.
    = American English and British English are slightly/somewhat/subtly different.

在英式英語中,人們說話時經常將 different than 中的 than 用作連接詞 (甚至也把 from 當連接詞用),後接子句,但許多人認為這是不正確的。例如:

  • My younger brother is significantly/markedly/radically/vastly different than me. (我弟弟跟我大不相同) (正)
    My younger brother is significantly/markedly/radically/vastly different than I am. (?)
  • His attitude to life is different now than before he got married. (他現在的人生觀與婚前有所不同) (?)
    His attitude to life is different now from before he got married. (?)
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