different. Often used unnecessarily. 'He plays milkmaid to more than 50 different species of poisonous snake' {Observer}; 'The phenomenally successful Rubik Cube, which has 43,252,002,274,489,856,000 different permutations but only one solution' {Sunday Times}; '{He} published at least five different books on grammar' {Simon, Paradigms Lost}. Frequently, as in each of these examples, it can be deleted without loss.
The term "different" is frequently used in language but often appears unnecessarily, as evidenced in various examples. For instance, references to someone who 'plays milkmaid to more than 50 different species of poisonous snake' or to the Rubik's Cube with '43,252,002,274,489,856,000 different permutations' illustrate how the word can be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentences. Such instances demonstrate the redundancy of the word in everyday language.
Furthermore, the phrase about an individual publishing 'at least five different books on grammar' showcases another example of unnecessary usage. In all these contexts, the core message remains intact if "different" is removed, suggesting that its frequent application may not enhance clarity or understanding. Bill Bryson's insights in "Troublesome Words" highlight the importance of linguistic precision and awareness of word choice.
