#294: How to Compare in English | 6 Linking Words with Examples

Let me ask you… when was the last time you compared your current self to your younger self? For example, who you are now to who you were as a kid, a teenager, a young adult?

Or when was the last time you were thinking about buying something expensive – a new smartphone, car, or TV – and you compared one option to another?

What about… 

• Meditation & Fitness Apps
• Skin Care Products
• Online Courses
• Job Offers
• Vacation Destinations
• Budget Plans
• Cost-Saving Measures
• Customer Feedback

In daily life and at work, we compare similarities among choices to help us make better decisions. 

In this Confident English lesson today, you’ll learn how to compare in English using 6 linking words so you can easily make comparisons in English, share with others, and, if necessary, get them to help you make important decisions.

How to Compare in English with Linking Words

What are linking words?

Linking words are also known as transitional words or connectors. They are words or phrases that connect one part of a text or sentence to another. In other words, they build a bridge from one idea, one sentence, to another. 

When you use these bridges in your speech, they create a logical connection. An easy transition. Even better, they improve the flow and clarity of your speech. 

The words you learn today will help you do that when you want to highlight similarities. 

Linking Word 1: Like

When we use ‘like’ to show similarities, we can use 2 possible sentence structures:

• X [verb] like Y.
• X is like Y.

Example: X [verb] like Y.

• “He swims like a fish.” 
• “Teresa sings beautifully like her sister.”
• “He negotiates like a seasoned diplomat, skillfully finding common ground and achieving mutually beneficial agreements.” 

Example: X is like Y.

• “Reading this book is like going on an adventure.” 
• “Look at this hotel! It’s like a luxury resort but it’s less expensive because it’s not directly on the beach.”
• “This app is like the one you told me about. It also has short breathing exercises.”

Linking Word 2: As … as

This structure allows you to compare two things that are equal or very similar in a particular quality or characteristic.

• “As + adjective/adverb + as”

For example:

• “This job offer is just as compelling as the one I received last week. I really don’t know which one to accept. Any advice?” 
• “I’m just as competitive as when I was a child.”
• “Her presentation was as impressive as the CEO’s.” 
• “This budget plan appears to be as effective as the more expensive option.”
• “The download speed is just as slow as it was yesterday. We still haven’t solved the issue.”
• “I drive as slowly as my 97-year-old grandmother.”

Linking Word 3: Same as… 

Similar to ‘like’ and ‘as … as,’ we use ‘same as’ to express similarity and/or identity between two or more things. 

However, this phrase emphasizes that the compared items or people are extremely similar, almost the same, if not identical. 

For example:

• “His new car is the same as mine.”
• “This fitness app is the same as yours in terms of price. But it has more yoga classes to choose from.”
• “My daughter’s cooking is almost the same as her grandmother’s.”

Practice:

Let’s pause here for a moment. I want you to practice.

Think about who you are today. How are you similar to your younger self? Try using one of these first 3 linking words and write down an example sentence.

If you’re not sure, you can follow my own example (one that I’ve already shared): “I’m just as competitive as when I was a child.”

Linking Word 4: As well as

‘As well as’ allow us to add to an idea or sentence. But not just any addition. You’re adding on something similar to what has been mentioned before. 

Sometimes, English will add a similar thought in addition to what had been mentioned before. 

For example:

• “She enjoys swimming as well as hiking.”
•  “These customer reviews offer key insights as well as ideas for next steps.”
• “As well as her academic achievements, she’s known for her athletic abilities too.”

Linking Word 5: Likewise

Likewise indicates similarity or agreement with a previous statement or action. As a result, it is often used as a response in conversations.

Let’s look at a few example conversations:

Example 1: Similar Preferences

• Person A: “I love going for long walks at the end of a stressful work day.”
• Person B: “Likewise, I find long walks to be very relaxing.”
• In this example, Person B is expressing agreement with Person A’s statement and indicating that they have a similar preference.

Example 2: Similar Reactions

• “When I heard the news, I was shocked. I didn’t see this policy change coming.”
• “Likewise, I couldn’t believe it when I heard.”
• In this case, both individuals had a similar reaction of disbelief to the news.

Example 3: Indicating Agreement

• “She believes in the importance of environmental conservation, and I feel likewise.“
• In this sentence, “I feel likewise” shows that the speaker shares the same belief as the other person regarding environmental conservation.

Linking Word 6: Similarly

The last linking word on our list to easily make comparisons in English is used to compare two or more actions, ideas, or qualities to show that they are alike or have something in common.

For example:

Example 1: Compare Results

• “The experiments yielded positive results in the laboratory. Similarly, they produced the same outcomes in the field trials we conducted.”
• “Similarly” is used to indicate that the results were consistent across different settings.

Example 2: Compare Qualities

• “Both companies prioritize innovation in their products. Similarly, they both have a strong commitment to sustainability.”
• Here, “similarly” emphasizes the shared qualities of innovation and commitment to sustainability in both companies.

Practice What You Learned

Try using the linking words you learned by choosing one of these options:

1. Choose two of your favorite books or movies. Compare their similarities and use the phrases from today’s lesson. 
2. Tell me about your current job. How is it similar to your experience in your previous role or workplace?  

As always, you can share your comments and questions with me below.

~ Annemarie

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