1. Comparing two objects:
* "This dress differs from the one I bought last week in color and style."
* "The new version of the software differs slightly from the previous one in terms of functionality."
* "The twins look alike, but their personalities differ quite significantly."
2. Highlighting contrasting opinions or perspectives:
* "My opinion on this matter differs from yours."
* "The experts differ on the best way to treat this condition."
* "The historical accounts differ in their interpretation of the events."
3. Emphasizing variations in a process or situation:
* "The process of applying for a visa differs depending on your nationality."
* "The weather in the mountains differs greatly from the weather in the lowlands."
* "The customer service at this store differs significantly from the service at other locations."
4. Formal usage:
* "The study found that the two groups differed in their levels of stress."
* "The researchers differ on the interpretation of the results."
Remember, "differs" is often used with a preposition like "from," "in," "by," or "on," depending on the context.
You can also use "differs" in negative sentences to indicate similarity:
* "The two paintings do not differ in their subject matter."
* "His opinion does not differ much from mine."
Using "differs" effectively allows you to highlight differences and create clarity when comparing or discussing contrasting elements.