Comparisons
Finding Similarities and Differences
The following words and phrases are used to compare and contrast the quality, character or states of two items. The words and phrases include adjective, adverb, preposition and conjunction forms!
Words for Expressing Similarity and Difference
| SIMILARITY | 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) |
The apple is unlike the orange. (prep) |
Phrases for Similarity and Differences
| SIMILARITY | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|
This apple is as red as that apple. idiom (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 is the same color as the other. (pronoun - adv) |
The apple is more beautiful than the orange. (adj - conj) |
This apple looks like apple. (verb phrase) |
The apple is much more beautiful than the orange. (adv - adj - conj) |
This apple is similar to that apple. (adj - prep) |
The apple grows more easily than the orange. (adj - conj) |
This apple is like that apple. (prep) |
The apple is more like a pear than the orange. (prep) |
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. (paired conjunction) |
The orange in contrast to the lemon is sweet. |
Neither this apple nor that one is sweet. (paired conjunction) |
The orange is sweet in contrast to the lemon which is bitter. |
*Same almost always occurs with the: " the same".
Sentence Transition Words for Similarity and Difference
| SIMILARITY | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|
This apple is tart. Similarly, this one is sour. (adverb phrase) |
The apple is red. In contrast, the orange is orange. |
This apple is tart. In the same way, this one is sour. |
Some people think the apple is orange. On the contrary, the apple is red. (on the contrary = not true!) |
|
While / Whereas the orange is high in fiber, the apple is not. (contrasts two items) |
|
On the one hand the lemon is high in fiber, on the other hand it is too bitter to eat. (discussing "both sides of the coin") |
- ER & More
| -ER | MORE |
|---|---|
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. |
This apple is heavier than that one. (heavy) |
This apple is more exceptional than that one. |
This apple is uglier than that one. (ugly) |
This apple is more desirable than that one. |
Exceptions (some)
angry — angrier |
friendly — friendlier* |
handsome — handsomer |
good — better |
busy — busier |
gentle — gentle* |
far- farther |
bad — worse |
happy — happier |
little — littler |
clever — cleverer / more clever* |
little — less |
ugly — uglier |
narrow — narrower |
simple — simpler / more simple* |
many — more |
funny — funnier |
silly — sillier |
fun — funner / more fun (see below) |
|
*may use -er or more
Fun / Funner ?
| NOUN | ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
The word fun is a word that is changing in use. Orginally used as a noun, it started to be used as a noun modifier and then an adjective dating to around 1850 to 1950. Currently, it is being used as an adjective along side of an earlier adjective form – funny. Both words are in use now with different meanings. |
The comparative form of fun is currently more fun; however, advertising is starting to use the expected grammatical pattern of funner. The use may change in time to the -er comparative form or it may remain frozen with the 'more' form. |
Let's have some fun. (noun) This is a fun game. (noun modifier) This is game is fun. (adjective - causes amusement) This is a funny game. (adjective - causes laughter, or is odd or peculiar) |
The new version is funner than the last one. (causes more amusement - informal use) The new version is more fun than the last one. (causes more amusement) The new version is funnier than the last one. (causes more laughter, or is odder) |
Resources
Quinion, Michael. "World Wide Words: Funner and funnest." 2009 World Wide Words: English from a British Viewpoint. 03 Dec 2009. <http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-fun1.htm>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage. Springfield, Mass: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1993. p. 469. Also, Merriam-Webster.com. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funner>
Wiki Answers: "Why can't you say funner instead of more fun?." 2009. Answers.com. 03 Dec 2009. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_can't_you_say_funner_instead_of_more_fun>

Common Mistake
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
Eleni and Maria are a bit shorter than me.
|
Eleni and Maria are a bit shorter than I. Eleni and Maria are a bit shorter I (am). Adding the auxiliary verb after the pronoun often helps speakers remember a subject pronoun is needed |
Practice 1
Comparing and Contrasting
- Select the word that best completes the comparison.
- Complete all responses before using the answer button at the bottom.
- Then, use the "check answers" button at the bottom of the practice to check your responses.
Practice 2
As ... As Phrases
Select the word that best completes the "as ___ as" phrase.
- Decide whether to use the noun or the adjective word form.
- Complete all your responses before using the answer button at the bottom.
Practice 3 
The Same As Phrases
Select the word that best completes the "the same ____" phrase.
- Decide whether to use the noun or the adjective word form.
- Complete all your responses before using the answer button at the bottom.
Practice 4
Expressions of Comparison
Select the word 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 at the bottom.
Index Grammar-Quizzes | Previous Indeed/Even | Next Connect Review
Located in: * Adverb Summary ** Conditional Summary ***Punctuation Summary

