Is Different Adjective Or Noun Or Adverb? 5 Facts

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The roles of different parts of speech are different in one single sentence. Let us check if the word “different” plays the role of an adjective, noun, or adverb.

The word “different” can be certainly termed an “adjective” if it is in use to modify or describe any noun or noun equivalent in a sentence, but the form of the word “different” as a noun and as an adverb is different.

Let us learn various facts and explanations related to the used of the adjective “different”.

When is “different” an adjective?

A word must perform certain activities to be marked as an adjective. Let us check if the word “different” can perform the role of an adjective or not.

We can mark the word “different” as an adjective when it modifies or describes various attributes or aspects of a noun, pronoun, or nun equivalent. The adjective “different” can show attributes of both singular and plural nouns.

Now, we will learn the situations where the word “different” can be used as an “adjective.”

 Situations to use the adjective “different”ExampleExplanation
1. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “singular noun.”Rahul looks different nowadays from the days when he was in his forties.The variance of the singular noun “Rahul’s look” has been described with the help of the adjective “different”.
2. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “plural noun.”The behaviour of Rahul’s family towards the neighborhood is different from that of Sandip’s family.The word “different” can be certainly marked as an “adjective” as it is in use to show the variance between the behaviour of Rahul’s family and the behaviour of Sandip’s family.
3. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “singular noun phrase.”        The sweet little white kitten looked different from the other kittens in the courtyardThe word “different” can be certainly marked as an “adjective” as it is in use to show the contrast among the kittens.
4. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “plural noun phrase.”The food habits of the new tiny puppies in our house are different from those of our previous pets.Various food habits of the puppies have been described with the help of the adjective “different”.
5. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “singular pronoun.”The way you are behaving towards your well-wishers in this pathetic situation is different from the behaviour of your family.The word “different” can be certainly marked as an “adjective” as it is in use to show the diversity of behaviour among various members of the same family.
6. The adjective “different” can be used to modify or describe the attributes of any “plural pronoun.”They are coming on a different path from the one we have followed to reach the destination.The disparities in paths to reach the destined place have been shown with the help of the adjective “different”.
7. The “similarity” between two nouns or noun equivalents can be shown with the help of the adjective “different”.The beauties of these two dresses are as different as the colours white and black.The similarity between dresses and colours has been shown with the help of the adjective “different.”  
8. “Comparison” between various nouns or noun equivalents can be shown with the help of the adjective “different”.Your look is much different than yesterday’s.The comparison between the looks of the addressed person on different days has been shown on different days.
9. The “superiority” of any noun or noun equivalent can be shown with the help of the adjective “different”.The writing style of Rina is the most different among all the students in the calligraphy class.The superiority of Rina’s handwriting style among all the students in the class has been shown with the help of the adjective “different.”
Situations to use the adjective “different”

Is “different” a descriptive adjective?

The eight types of adjectives have their own characteristics and functions to serve. Let us check the group of adjectives to which the adjective “different” belongs.

The word “different” belongs to the group of “descriptive adjectives.” There are certain functions in which the adjective “different” serves as a descriptive adjective.

Now, we will learn the various purposes that the adjective “different” serves as a descriptive adjective.

Usage of the descriptive adjective “different”ExampleExplanation
1.To mark “various types”I have tried different pens, but none of them help me to write fluently.A variation on using various types of pens by the speaker has been shown with the help of the adjective “different”.
2.To show “not same as”You look completely different in this red dress than in your regular house gowns.The adjective “different” can be certainly marked as a “descriptive adjective” as it is in use to show that the addressed person is not looking the same as she used to look in her house gowns.
3.To show “contrast”The visual scenery of any beach is completely different from that of any mountain area.The adjective “different” can be certainly marked as a “descriptive adjective” as it is in use to show the contrast between the visual scenery of the seaside and mountain area.
4.To mark “not alike in quality”The dressing sense of both the sisters is different but appreciable in their own way.The contrast in the dressing sense of the two sisters has been shown with the help of the adjective “different.”
5.To show “opposite”The effects of a shy person and a talkative person on their social interaction are completely different.The adjective “different” can be certainly marked as a “descriptive adjective” as it is in use to show the opposite effect of two types of people on their social interaction.
Usage of the descriptive adjective “different”

Is “different” a noun?

Sometimes the form of the noun and the form of the adjective of a word are not the same. Let us check if the word “different” can play the role of a noun or not.

We can not use the word “different” as a noun because the noun form of the adjective “different” is “difference”. The purpose of using the noun “difference” is to show the variance, contrast, dispute, distinction, etc. between various living and non-living entities.

Now, we will go through various examples and explanations related to the use of the noun “difference.”

Usage of the noun “difference”ExampleExplanation
1. The noun “difference” can be used to show contrast.There is a difference between the taste of the dragon fruit and the taste of our local fruits.The word “difference” can be certainly marked as a “noun” as it is in use as a “naming entity” to show the difference between the taste of the dragon fruit and the taste of other fruits.
2. The noun “difference” can be used to show variance.The difference between the teaching styles of our subject teachers is quite visible.The word “difference” can be certainly marked as a “noun” as it is in use as a “naming entity” to show the difference between teachers of various types of subjects’ teachers.
Usage of the noun “difference”

Is “different” an adverb?

Sometimes we need to add prefixes or suffixes to an adjective to use it as an adverb. Let us check if the word “different” can perform the role of an adverb or not.

We can not use the word “different” as an adverb as the adverbial form of the adjective is “differently.” The addition of the suffix “ly” to the adjective “different” is a must to frame the adverbial form “differently”.

There are some specific situations that can be properly described with the help of the adverbial form “differently.” Related examples and explanations are also given below.

Usage of the adverbial form “differently”ExampleExplanation
1. We can mark the word “differently” as an adverb if it is used in the sentence to show “the difference between two living or non-living beings.” Rina and Menu like to cope with any hurdle in life differently.The word “differently” can be certainly marked as an adverb as it is used to show the difference between how Rina copes with the hurdles of life and how Menu copes with the same.
2. We can mark the word “differently” as an adverb if it is used in the sentence to show “the difference between two types of behavior/way or path”.Rahul and Sandip dictate their siblings differently while teaching them.  The word “differently” can be certainly marked as an adverb as it is in use to describe the difference between the dictation of Rahul and Sandip towards their siblings.
Usage of the adverbial form “differently”

Conclusion –

Now, we will have a quick glance at different forms of the adjective “different.” The noun form of the adjective “different” is “difference,” while the adverbial form of the adjective “different” is “differently.”