How to compare and contrast. Using different phrases.. Also, too, like. be alike (the same). Positive degree negation. Comparative degree

How to compare and contrast

We often need to compare a new device or something with an old one. For this case there are several ways.

4.1. Speaking about similarities. When you compare one thing or idea to another, you can show how they are alike.

Making grammatical changes to an adjective.

Positive degree …as+adjective+as…

e.g. It’s as small as a pen.

Using different phrases.

Both … and …

e.g. Both planes and trains are kinds of transport.

Neither … nor …

e.g. Neither Kate nor Nick came to the lecture yesterday.

Either … or …

e.g. Either copper or aluminium can be used in electric wires.

Not only … but … as well, not only … but also …

e.g. Water is not only colorless, butodorless as well.

… be the same as …

e.g. This solution is the same as we used in our experiment.

e.g. It’s the same size as a matchbox.

Both …

e.g. He used bothmethods to solve the problem.

Each …

e.g. Each of them had a calculator.

Also, too, like

e.g. She is intelligent and beautiful too.

… as well as …

e.g. He as well as she study electronics.

… be similar to …

e.g. It’s very similar to a mobile phone, but it has more functions.

Similarly, …

e.g. Bill Clinton is a former president.Similarly, George Bush senior is a former president.

…looks like…

e.g. It looks like a watch, but a bit bigger.

…be alike (the same)

e.g. They are alike (the same)

4.2 Speaking about differences.When you compare or contrast two things or ideas you can show how they are different

Making grammatical changes to an adjective.

Positive degree negation

…not as (so) + adj. +as…

It’s not as (so) big as a plane

Comparative degree

-er (than) (to short adj.)

This chair is bigger than that one.