What is the difference between 'differ' and 'differentiate'? — Nabilla, Algeria
Answer
To differ means to be different. To differentiate means to make (someone or something) different in some way. Differentiate also means to see or state the difference or differences between two or more things. Below are examples of each.
Differ = to be different
The identical twins differ [= are different] only in their hairstyles.
The parents differ in their approach to parenting.
The new version differs significantly from the old one
Differentiate = to make (someone or something) different
The only thing that differentiates the twins is their hairstyles. [=the only thing that makes them different is their hairstyles]
Our excellent customer service differentiates us from our competitors.
Differentiate = to see or state the difference or differences between two or more things
He was unable to differentiate [=to see the difference between] the two flowering plants.
Because he is colorblind, he cannot differentiate red from orange.
She can easily differentiate between the many styles of art.
I have shown above how the two words differ. Can you differentiate between their meanings now?
