I need to determine a rule as to why the answer is C.

Question

A.) Jumping off of a balance beam is different from jumping off a trampoline; each jump requires a unique skill.

B.) Jumping off a balance beam is different from jumping off a trampoline; each jump requires a unique skill.

C.) Jumping off a balance beam is different from jumping off a trampoline; each jump requires a unique skill.

D.) Jumping off a balance beam is different from jumping off a trampoline, each jump requires a unique skill.

Answer 1

Correction: B= than jumping instead of from jumping

Answer 2

What's the difference between C and D?

When you use "different from" something, you need to have a noun (or noun form, such as this -- a gerund) after it.

When you use "different than" something, you need to have a clause (w/ subject and verb) after it.

Answer 3

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/d.html

Scroll down to find "different."

=)

Answer 4

Ok, I have the write answer which is C.. But why would it be right?

The diff between C,D= semicolon

Answer 5

Oh, I see it now.

Do you see my answer? Understand??

??

Answer 6

C has a semi-colon. D has a comma.

Answer 7

I see how it can be different from, but there are like 2 other sentences with different from

Answer 8

I understand why they are wrong, I just can't like figure out the rule.

Answer 9

I gave you the rule above:

"different from" ~~> noun or noun phrase
"different than" ~~> clause

Answer 10

Ok, I see now. Thank you!

Answer 11

YW!!

Here's another source if you need it:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/grammarlogs3/grammarlogs427.htm
Scroll almost all the way to the bottom to read about this issue. An authority is named here, too.