Hello. In this video, we're going to talk about ways to contrast different things in speaking. We use certain phrases to discuss things that are similar or different. We often use these phrases, as a way to explain the differences between two or more people, places, experiences, or things.

Let's look at three phrases used to contrast two things. To contrast things is to talk about how they are different. For example, to show how doctors and teachers are different we might say:

Phrase 1: “are different because”

Doctors and teachers are different because they each need a special degree.

The two nouns being contrasted are doctors and teachers in green. Then you see the phrase, are different because, in purple, followed by the independent clause, they each need a special degree. Remember, that an independent clause, is a complete sentence with a subject, “they”, and a verb, “need”.

Here is another example contrasting community colleges and universities.

Community colleges and universities are different because they offer different types of degrees.

Phrase 2: “unlike”

Unlike doctorsmany teachers complete their university degree in four years.

This sentence begins with the phrase of contrast unlike, in purple and bold, followed by the first noun doctors, in green and underlined. Then the second noun is said with a verb phrase for more explanation of how the two things are different.

Here's another example using unlike:

Unlike community colleges, universities offer master's degrees and doctoral degrees.

Phrase 3: “but”, or, “whereas”

Doctors may take ten years to finish their education, but teachers finish in four to six years.

In this sentence, each noun in green is part of an independent clause that explains how the two things are different. The word “but” or “whereas”, goes in the middle of the sentence, and shows that there is a difference. “But” is more commonly used in casual speaking, “whereas”, has the same meaning, it just sounds more formal.

Community colleges offer associate degrees, whereas universities offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Using whereas, makes the sentence sound more formal.

Let's review the three phrases to contrast people, places, experiences, or things.

  1. are different because
  2. unlike
  3. but or whereas

Summary

To summarize, there are certain phrases to compare and contrast how things are similar and different. Often, speakers use these phrases to make their ideas clearer.

What's Next?

Practice using phrases to compare and contrast in an optional discussion post. 


Sửa lần cuối: Thứ năm, 13 Tháng 10 2022, 1:49 AM