Comparisons
Describing similarities and differences
Words for similarity and difference
| SIMILARITY | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|
Use these comparative words to show similarity. |
Use these comparative words to show difference. |
The apples are the same. (pronoun) |
The apple and the orange are different. (adj) |
These apples are alike. (adj) |
The apple and the orange are unalike / not alike. (adj) |
The apples are similar. (adj) |
The apple and the orange are dissimilar. (adj) |
The apples ripen similarly. (adv) |
The apple and the orange grow differently. (adv) |
This apple is like that apple. (prep phrase) |
The apple is unlike the orange. (prep) |
Related page: Parallel Phrasing
Expressions for Similarity and Differences
| SIMILARITY | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|
Use the expressions below to show similarity: as…as, the same…as, like, etc. |
Use the expressions below to show dissimilarity: not as…as, different…from, unlike, etc. |
This apple is as red as that apple. (adv - adv) |
The apple is different from/ than the orange. (adj - conj) |
This apple has the same flavor as that apple. (noun - adv) |
This apple is not as sweet as this orange. (adv - adv) |
This apple and the other apples are the same.* |
The apple is more beautiful than the orange. (adv - conj) |
This apple looks like that apple. (verb phrase) |
The apple is much more beautiful than the orange. (adv -adv - conj) |
This apple is similar to that apple. (adj - prep) |
The apple grows on a tree unlike the tomato. (prep) |
This apple is like that apple. (prep) |
The apple is more like a pear than the orange. (prep - adv) |
This apple is just the same as that apple. (adv - pronoun - adv) |
The skin of the apple contrasts to the skin of the orange. (verb - prep) |
Both this apple and that one are sweet. (focusing adverb - conjunction) |
The orange in contrast to the lemon is sweet. (prep - prep) |
Neither this apple nor that one is sweet. (focusing adverb - conjunction) |
The orange is sweet in contrast to the lemon which is bitter. |
Also see: Both - and (neither nor) More than and the same as, Determiners
*Same almost always occurs as the same in a comparison.
Sentence transition words for similarity and difference (linking adverbs)
| SIMILARITY | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|
A transition word ( a linking adverb) transitions the reader from the thought in one sentence to a similar thought in the next. The adverbial is an adverb (-ly, -wise) or a prepositional phrase. |
These transition words, called linking adverbials, are used to relate the information in two clauses. The adverb relates to the entire clause rather than the verb within the clause. |
This apple is tart. Similarly, this one is sour. (adv) |
The apple is red. In contrast, the orange is orange. (prep phrase) |
This apple is tart. In the same way, this one is sour. (prep phrase) |
Some people think the apple is orange. On the contrary, the apple is red. on the contrary = not true! (prep phrase) |
That orange is delicious. Likewise, this apple is very flavorful. (adv) |
While / Whereas the orange is high in fiber, the apple is not. (prep phrase) |
|
On the one hand the lemon is high in fiber, on the other hand it is too bitter to eat. "both sides of the coin" |
Also see: Contrasts - but / but still, Adv for Linking
Comparative Nouns
-er and more
Comparing qualities of nouns
| -ER | MORE |
|---|---|
Use the suffix -er with one syllable words to make a comparative word form with than. |
Use the more with multiple-syllable words to make a comparative clause with than. |
This apple is better than that one. (good - better) |
This apple is more beautiful than that one. |
This apple is redder than the other one. (red) |
This apple is more flavorful than the other one. |
See: More / -er...than
Also see: Much / More
Practice 1
Comparing and contrasting
- Select the word that best completes the comparison.
- Complete all responses before using the answer button at the bottom.
Practice 2
Expressions of comparison
Select the word or the expression that best completes the sentence.
- Decide whether to use the noun or the adjective word form.
- Complete all your responses before using the answer button to the left.