diffère

Différer is a French verb with two main senses. It can mean to differ, to be unlike, or to disagree. It can also mean to postpone or delay something. The form diffère is the third-person singular present indicative: il diffère. The verb belongs to the first group of -er verbs and shares conjugation patterns with other -er verbs.

In the sense of differing, différer is used without a preposition to express variation, and with de to indicate difference from something else. Examples: ces chiffres diffèrent selon les méthodes utilisées; cette proposition diffère de celle décrite dans l’étude. The noun form différence is common in the related noun, but diffère remains the verb form.

In the sense of postponing, différer is used transitively, usually with an object and often with jusqu’à or à followed by a time phrase. Examples: ils ont différé la décision jusqu’à lundi; nous différons la réunion. This sense is fairly formal or administrative, and in many everyday contexts reporters or remets are more common.

Conjugation overview (present, imperfect, past participle): present: je diffère, tu diffères, il diffère, nous difféRons, vous différez, ils diffèrent. Imperfect: je différais, tu différais, il différait, nous différions, vous différiez, ils différaient. Participle passé: différé. The verb’s etymology traces back to Latin differre, meaning to carry apart or to defer.

See also: différence, différer versus différé, reporter. diffère remains a formal or literary option in French, used when distinguishing between things or when describing a postponement in official contexts.