COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Compare

both ... (and) Tom and Ann both have dogs. Both Tom and Ann are students.
same The results of these tests are the same.
also A mouse is also an input device.
equal (to) Ukraine is almost equal in size to France.
similar(ly) They behave similarly. These triangles are similar.
as ... as This problem is as difficult as the previous one.
as well as The coach, as well as the team, is ready.
as well (too) He has bought a car. She has bought one as well (too).
Contrast

different  I have a different idea. The ability to reason makes man different from animals.
not so (as) ... as The devil is not so black as he is painted.
<Comp. Adj.> than The temperature today is higher than yesterday.
in comparison to / Computers-based communication is extremely fast in comparison to / compared
compared to to telephone services.
in contrast to / with The white roses looked lovely in contrast with the red ones.
even though Even though we fail, the very mistakes we make will be invaluable.
although Although this machine is very old, it is still usable.
despite / in spite of Despite / in spite of being a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.
but / while / yet Everybody wanted to go to the cinema, but he insisted on staying home.
unlike Unlike the others, he was very calm.

Exercise 1. In the sentences, find the functional words of compare or contrast.

1. It is estimated that the world’s oil reserves will last for about 50-60 years, whereas sunlight is available
forever and can be utilized till the end of this planet. 2. Unlike fossil fuels, that will expire in another few
decades, wind energy is never going to end. 3. Learning to ride a bike is as easy as, say, learning to skate. 4.
All manufactured goods have environmental impact, but bicycles can be produced for a fraction of the
materials, energy and shipping costs of a car. 5. A 20-pound bicycle is a lot less rough on the pavement than a
two-ton sedan. 6. Cars need much more parking space than bicycles. 7. There is evidence that riding a bike
can act like natural painkiller if you are relatively fit. 8. Energy that we receive from the sun can be used to
generate electricity. Similarly, energy from wind, geothermal, biomass from plants, tides can be used to fulfill
our daily energy demands.

Exercise 2. Describe 3 similarities and 3 differences of the given objects using active vocabulary.

a) b)

c) d)