Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2009

In some contexts these mean exactly the same.  But there
is a nuance of difference between different and differing, cf.
(1)  Theory tells us ABC but we have different views (i.e. you
and I agree with each other, and both of us think the theory
is mistaken.)
(2)  "We have differing views" means that you and I disagree
with each other.
Only context can arbitrate matters like this.

We are asked about:

They could mean the same thing.

"Different" is the everyday word; "differing" is a bit more elegant.

I think some people might use "differing" to suggest the case where
the two views are similar in some respects but different in others,
i.e. "partially different" as opposed to "completely different".
But I think other people might just use "differing" because they think
it's more elegant and therefore suggests that the disagreement is a
polite one (whether it really is or not).