Similarity
Here are some words commonly used to show similarities:
- Like
- Both
- Similarly
Take note of some grammatical differences: Like is a preposition and is directly followed by a noun/phrase, but not a clause. Similarly is an adverb and is followed by a clause. When comparing or contrasting, the word both is typically followed by two nouns joined with and (both Vancouver and Tokyo), a plural noun (both cities) or a phrase (both of the cities).
- Like her sister, Sadie was very creative and expressive.
- Both Sadie and her sister were creative and expressive.
- Sadie was creative and expressive; similarly, her sister was a gifted artist.
Difference
Here are some words commonly used to show differences:
- Unlike
- However
- In contrast
- On the other hand
- While
- Whereas
Take note of the grammatical differences. Unlike is a preposition and cannot be followed by a clause. Conjunctions, adverbs and adverbial phrases (while and in contrast) are followed by a clause.
- Unlike his sister, who was a gifted artist, Mitch could not draw a straight line.
- His sister was a gifted artist; in contrast, Mitch could not draw a straight line.
- While his sister was a gifted artist, Mitch could not draw a straight line.
Exercise
Using what you have learned about linking comparison and contrast, complete the activity.