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Prepositions after verbs

Differ from or differ in?

Differ from compares two things. Differ in names the area or quality that is different.

Quick answer

Main distinction

Use differ from to compare one thing with another. Use differ in to mention the feature or aspect that is not the same.

This model differs from the older version.
The twins differ in personality.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
differ from + noun

Comparing two things

From introduces the thing being compared.

Her approach differs from mine.
2
differ in + aspect

Naming the difference

In introduces the quality or area that changes.

The products differ in price and size.
3
differ on + topic

Having different opinions

On is used for disagreements about subjects.

They differ on economic policy.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
differ from
My results differ from yours.
show contrast between things
differ in
The candidates differ in experience.
show the aspect that is different
differ on
Experts differ on the best solution.
have different opinions about a topic

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using differ in for direct comparison

Use from when comparing one thing with another.

✕ Her car differs in mine. ✓ Her car differs from mine.

Using differ from for the aspect

Use in before the quality or feature.

✕ The shirts differ from colour. ✓ The shirts differ in colour.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This edition differs ___ the original.
2. The two brothers differ ___ temperament.
3. Scientists differ ___ how the disease spreads.

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Frequently asked questions

Can differ from and differ in appear together?

Yes. For example: The copy differs from the original in several details.

Is differ to correct?

Differ to is uncommon in modern standard English for comparison. Differ from is preferred.

What is the opposite of differ from?

The usual opposite is be similar to or resemble.

dabble, in, dabble, with "damage to" or "damage by"? dance to, with, on, in or for? "dangle from" or "dangle in"? dare to, for, on, as or at? dash to, into, out, from or on? daydream about, for, in, of or on? "debate in", "debate on" or "debate with"? deceive by, in, into, on or about? "decide on", "decide to" or "decide by"? declare in, by, on, to or as? decline in, by, from, to or for?

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