differently

/ˈdɪfrəntli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪfrəntli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt-lē ˈdi-fərnt-/ (ame, mw)

differently — adverb

1. not in the same way as before or not in the same way that someone else does some

1.副詞A2
釋義

not in the same way as before or not in the same way that someone else does something

例句

Valentina loves the open-plan office, but her brother thinks differently and prefers a quiet room.

think differently [contrast using 'but']

The new manager treats the staff differently from her predecessor.

treat [someone] differently from [someone]

同義詞
  • otherwise

    used when the alternative is already stated or strongly implied; slightly more formal

  • in another way

    more explicit but less common in everyday speech

  • variously

    suggests multiple different ways rather than a single contrast; much rarer

反義詞
  • the same

    used with 'in the same way' as an adverbial phrase

  • similarly

    describes actions done in a like manner

文法句型

differently + from + noun/pronoun

verb + differently (no comparison)

feel/think/look + differently + about + noun

用法筆記

Frequently paired with verbs of perception, opinion, or behaviour: think differently, feel differently, see things differently, treat someone differently. British English prefers 'differently from'; American English accepts 'differently than' as well.

常見錯誤

❌I think different about this issue.
✅I think differently about this issue.
💡'different' is an adjective; use 'differently' (adverb) to modify the verb 'think'.
❌She treats me different than before.
✅She treats me differently from before.
💡'different' cannot act as an adverb.

2. in a manner that stands apart from what most people consider normal or expected,

2.副詞B1
釋義

in a manner that stands apart from what most people consider normal or expected, often in a noticeable way

例句

Naoko has always dressed differently from her classmates, choosing bold colours and unusual patterns.

dress differently from [group]

The old house on the corner was painted differently — bright purple with yellow window frames.

同義詞
  • unusually

    more direct synonym; 'differently' in this sense is slightly softer

  • abnormally

    stronger and often negative in tone; suggests something is wrong

  • distinctively

    focuses on standing out in a memorable way; more positive

反義詞
  • normally

    describes behaviour that follows social expectations

  • typically

    describes what is usual or expected

文法句型

verb + differently + from + noun/pronoun

verb + differently

用法筆記

This sense carries a social or normative contrast — what counts as 'unusual' depends on the context and shared expectations of a group. Unlike Sense 1, it does not simply express a difference between two things but implies a departure from a standard or norm.

常見錯誤

❌She always eats differently — she uses chopsticks.' (implies unusual, but using chopsticks is normal in many cultures).
✅She always dresses differently
💡her style is quite unusual for this town.' — Sense 2 only fits when the behaviour or appearance is noticeably outside a shared norm, not just culturally different.