something that gives a better chance or makes things easier

used to show the amount of difference

to look at two or more things to see how they are similar or different

used to show one thing is similar to or different from another

the act of looking at two or more things to see how they differ

a clear difference between two things

to show how two things are different

not the same as another thing or person

something that causes a problem or makes things worse

explain the difference between X and Y

to tell how two things are not the same

a broad idea based on a few examples

used to show a difference between two things

to look at two or more things and see how they are alike or different

to form broad ideas from a few examples

used to introduce one side of an argument

used to introduce the other side of an argument

one of the advantages of

a good point or helpful result of something

completely different in position, meaning, or direction

An idea or main meaning in a discussion.

that sort/kind of thing

something of the same type or kind

Comparing and contrasting – English vocabulary

26 words · English vocabulary · Created by OpenQuiz Team

26 English words with meanings: advantage, by [how much], compare, compared with/to, comparison… Study them with flashcards, quizzes and AI speaking…

Part of the learning path: Vocabulary in Daily Life - Pre-intermediate and intermediate

Word list

advantage /'ædvəntɪdʒ/ (noun) — something that gives a better chance or makes things easier
Example: Having a car is a big advantage.
Synonyms: benefit, edge, plus
by [how much] /baɪ/ (preposition) — used to show the amount of difference
Example: Prices rose by 10%.
Synonyms: by that amount, by that much
compare /kəm'pɛr/ (verb) — to look at two or more things to see how they are similar or different
Example: Compare the two reports before you decide.
Synonyms: contrast, match up, examine
compared with/to /kəm'pɛrd wɪð tu:/ (phrase) — used to show one thing is similar to or different from another
Example: Compared with last year, sales are higher.
Synonyms: in relation to, versus, as against
comparison /kəm'pærɪsən/ (noun) — the act of looking at two or more things to see how they differ
Example: The comparison showed clear differences.
Synonyms: contrast, analysis, evaluation
contrast n /'kɒntræst/ (noun) — a clear difference between two things
Example: There is a strong contrast between the two colors.
Synonyms: difference, opposition, distinction
contrast v /kən'træst/ (verb) — to show how two things are different
Example: The report contrasts the two policies.
Synonyms: differentiate, compare, distinguish
different /'dɪfrənt/ (adjective) — not the same as another thing or person
Example: This book is different from the other one.
Synonyms: unlike, distinct, not the same
different from /'dɪfərənt frəm/ (phrase) — not the same as something else
Example: This book is different from that one.
Synonyms: unlike, not the same as, distinct from
disadvantage /,dɪsəd'væntɪdʒ/ (noun) — something that causes a problem or makes things worse
Example: A long commute is a disadvantage.
Synonyms: drawback, problem, weakness
explain the difference between X and Y /ɪk'spleɪn ðə 'dɪfrəns bɪ'twi:n X ænd Y/ (phrase) — to tell how two things are not the same
Example: Please explain the difference between these two words.
Synonyms: compare, distinguish between, show the difference
generalisation /,dʒɛnərəlaɪ'zeɪʃən/ (noun) — a broad idea based on a few examples
Example: That is too broad a generalisation.
Synonyms: generalization, broad idea, rule of thumb
in contrast /ɪn 'kɑ:ntræst/ (phrase) — used to show a difference between two things
Example: In contrast, her brother is very quiet.
Synonyms: by contrast, on the other hand, unlike that
just as /dʒʌst æz/ (phrase) — in the same way as; equally
Example: She sings just as well as her sister.
Synonyms: equally, in the same way as, as
like [similar to] /laɪk/ (preposition) — similar to something else
Example: This tastes like sugar.
Synonyms: similar to, resembling, akin to
make a comparison /meɪk ə kəm'pærɪsən/ (phrase) — to look at two or more things and see how they are alike or different
Example: We should make a comparison between the two ideas.
Synonyms: compare, contrast, draw a comparison
make generalisations /meɪk ,dʒenərəlaɪ'zeɪʃənz/ (phrase) — to form broad ideas from a few examples
Example: They made generalisations from a few examples.
Synonyms: generalize, draw broad conclusions, make assumptions
on the one hand /ɒn ðə wʌn hænd/ (phrase) — used to introduce one side of an argument
Example: On the one hand, the job pays well.
Synonyms: from one side, for one thing, in one respect
on the other hand /ɒn ði 'ʌðər hænd/ (phrase) — used to introduce the other side of an argument
Example: On the other hand, it takes a lot of time.
Synonyms: however, from the other side, in contrast
one of the advantages of (phrase) — a good point or helpful result of something
Example: One of the advantages of this job is flexible hours.
Synonyms: benefit, advantage, plus
opposite /'ɑ:pəzɪt/ (adjective) — completely different in position, meaning, or direction
Example: Her opinion was the opposite of mine.
Synonyms: reverse, contrary, opposing
point [idea] /pɔɪnt/ (noun) — An idea or main meaning in a discussion.
Example: The main point is that we need more time.
Synonyms: idea, main idea
similar /'sɪmələr/ (adjective) — like but not exactly the same
Example: These two phones are similar.
Synonyms: alike, comparable, matching
similarity /,sɪmə'lærəti/ (noun) — the quality of being alike
Example: There is a clear similarity between the two designs.
Synonyms: likeness, resemblance, commonality
that sort/kind of thing /ðæt sɔ:rt əv θɪŋ/ (phrase) — something of the same type or kind
Example: I like that sort of thing.
Synonyms: that kind of thing, something like that
though /ðoʊ/ (conjunction) — despite the fact that
Example: I wanted to go, though I was tired.
Synonyms: although, even though

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Comparing and contrasting – English vocabulary

Word list

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