15 Useful Phrases for Comparing in English

Learning how to compare things is a crucial skill in English! Whether you’re choosing a new phone, describing two movies to a friend, or discussing work options, you need simple, clear phrases for comparing to express your thoughts. Master these expressions, and you’ll be able to talk about similarities and differences with confidence.

Essential Phrases for Comparing

Here are the most useful phrases for comparing so you can start using them right away!

To Show Similarity

1. Just like… This is a friendly and common way to show that two things are almost the same or share a main characteristic.

• Meaning: Very similar to.
• Example: “Eating sushi is just like eating art—it’s beautiful and delicious.”
• Example: “Her new job is just like her old one, but she gets more vacation time.”

2. Similar to… A slightly more formal way to say two things are alike. You often use a noun after “similar to.”

• Meaning: Having qualities in common.
• Example: “The climate in São Paulo is similar to the weather in Miami during winter.”
• Example: “This software is very similar to the program we used last year.”

3. The same as… Use this when things are identical in a specific way, or completely equal.

• Meaning: Identical; no difference.
• Example: “The price of the phone in the US is the same as the price in India.”
• Example: “My opinion on the election is the same as yours.”

4. A and B are both… A simple, powerful structure to highlight a quality shared by two subjects.

• Meaning: Two things share a common quality.
• Example: “The red shirt and the blue shirt are both made of cotton.”
• Example: “Learning English and Spanish are both challenging but very rewarding.”

To Show Difference or Contrast

5. Compared to… / In comparison to… These phrases are used to measure one thing against another, usually to show a difference. “Compared to” is more common in spoken English.

• Meaning: When measured against something else.
• Example: “Compared to renting an apartment, buying a house is a big commitment.”
• Example: “In comparison to last quarter, our sales have increased by 15%.”

6. While… / Whereas… These are conjunctions you can use to contrast two complete ideas in one sentence. While is more common.

• Meaning: Used to contrast two facts or ideas.
• Example: “While the first movie was a huge hit, the sequel was a big disappointment.”
• Example: “My brother prefers action films, whereas I only watch comedies.”

7. Much better/worse/faster than… Using much before a comparative adjective makes the difference sound bigger and more important.

• Meaning: Significantly different.
• Example: “The new car is much faster than the old one.”
• Example: “The customer service here is much worse than at the other branch.”

8. Not as… as… This is a negative comparison, showing that one thing has a lesser quality than the other.

• Meaning: Less than; unequal.
• Example: “The apartment in the city is not as spacious as the one outside the city.”
• Example: “Speaking English is not as difficult as many people think.”

9. Nothing like… This is a strong way to say two things are completely different.

• Meaning: Completely different from.
• Example: “The food in the restaurant was nothing like the pictures on the menu.”
• Example: “Her new personality is nothing like her former self—she is so confident now!”

10. On the one hand… on the other hand… This is one of the most useful phrases for comparing when you want to talk about two opposing sides or balanced arguments about a single topic.

• Meaning: Used to present two contrasting facts or points of view.
• Example: “On the one hand, working from home is very convenient. On the other hand, I miss seeing my colleagues every day.”
• Example: “On the one hand, the new gym membership is expensive. On the other hand, it has better equipment and more classes.”

Example Conversation

Let’s see how these expressions work in a quick conversation:

Rafa: “I’m trying to decide between buying a scooter and a small car.”

Sofia: “That’s a tough choice! Compared to a car, a scooter is much easier to park, especially in the city center.”

Rafa: “That’s true. While a car offers more protection from the weather, a scooter is much cheaper than a car.”

Sofia: “Exactly. And the cost of gas is not as high as it is for a car. So, you have to weigh your options. On the one hand, a car is safer. On the other hand, a scooter is cheaper and more convenient for short trips.”

Rafa: “I think you’ve helped me decide. Thanks!”

You now have a great toolkit of expressions! The best way to learn these is to use them in your daily life. Try to describe two products you like, two cities you’ve visited, or two jobs you’ve had. Practice today, and soon these phrases for comparing will become second nature! Good luck! 👋