4.1 Becoming familiar with words and phrases that signal comparison and contrast
Compare and contrast can be signalled in many ways. The following activity introduces the words and phrases most commonly used in formal and academic texts.
Activity 7
Timing: Allow approximately 10 minutes
Here are some words and phrases that are commonly used to signal comparison or contrast.
| but | instead | unlike | and |
| while | both | also | whereas |
| be different (from) | too | neither … nor | however |
| on the other hand | like | in contrast | be the same (as) |
Copy and paste, or type, those that you think signal comparison (similarity) into the first box below, and those that signal contrast (difference) into the second box.
Contrast
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).
Answer
| Comparison (similarity) | Contrast (difference) |
|---|---|
|
|
Comment
You don’t need to memorise these words and phrases. By meeting them in your reading and incorporating them in your writing, you will gradually master their use.