Quick answer: Compare means to examine things to find similarities (and sometimes differences): Compare the two novels. Contrast means to highlight the differences between things: Contrast city life with rural life. “Compare and contrast” means to do both. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘compare’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Focus | Preposition | Noun Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| compare | similarities (and differences) | compare with / compare to | comparison |
| contrast | differences | contrast with | contrast |
Using Compare
Compare means to examine two or more things to identify similarities, though it often also notes differences. Compare with is used for a thorough examination; compare to is used for figurative likenesses.
Compare the two photographs.
Scientists compared the results with previous studies.
She compared him to Sherlock Holmes. (figurative)
In comparison to last year, sales have improved.
Compare with vs Compare to
Compare with is used when examining actual similarities and differences. Compare to is used metaphorically or when asserting a likeness: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Using Contrast
Contrast means to emphasise the differences between two things. It is commonly used in academic writing to signal a shift in argument or to highlight opposing ideas.
Contrast the economic policies of the two governments.
In contrast to the warm south, the north was freezing.
By contrast, the second experiment produced very different results.
The red stands in stark contrast to the white background.
Common Mistakes
✗ The two cities contrast in many ways — both have large parks and busy markets.
✓ The two cities compare well — both have large parks and busy markets.
✗ Contrast the two texts to each other.
✓ Contrast the two texts with each other.
✗ Writing only similarities when asked to “compare and contrast”.
✓ Discuss both similarities (compare) AND differences (contrast) when the question asks for both.
Also confusing: Check vs Verify, Consume vs Use, Already vs Yet. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Compare or Contrast?
Four questions — choose the correct word.
1. “In ___ to the UK, Australia has a very warm climate.”
2. “The essay asks you to ___ the poems of Keats and Shelley.”
3. “By ___, the second group showed much higher levels of stress.”
4. “In ___, both methods produced similar results.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between compare and contrast?
Compare means to examine two or more things to find similarities (and sometimes differences). Contrast means to emphasise the differences between things. In academic writing, “compare and contrast” means to discuss both similarities AND differences.
Does compare mean similarities or differences?
Compare can include both similarities and differences, but it often focuses on similarities. In everyday English, “compare” can mean to look at how similar things are. “Contrast” specifically highlights differences.
What does “compare and contrast” mean in essays?
In academic essays, “compare and contrast” means to discuss both what two things have in common (compare) AND how they differ (contrast). It is a standard essay instruction asking for a balanced analysis.
What preposition follows compare?
Compare is usually followed by “with” (formal: “compare A with B”) or “to” (informal/figurative: “compare him to Shakespeare”). “Compare with” examines differences and similarities; “compare to” draws a figurative likeness.
What preposition follows contrast?
Contrast is usually followed by “with”: “contrast A with B”. You can also say “in contrast to/with”. Contrast never takes “to” in the same way compare does.
Can compare and contrast be used as nouns?
Yes. Both are used as nouns. “A comparison” (noun of compare): “by comparison”, “in comparison to”. “A contrast” (noun of contrast): “in contrast”, “a stark contrast”, “by contrast”.
What does “by contrast” mean?
“By contrast” introduces a difference: “The north is cold; the south, by contrast, is warm.” It is a linking phrase used to highlight how two things differ.
What does “in comparison” mean?
“In comparison” (or “in comparison to/with”) shows how one thing measures up against another: “His salary, in comparison to the national average, is quite high.” It can show either similarity or difference.
Is “contrast” always negative?
No. Contrast simply highlights differences; it is neutral. “The contrast between the two paintings is striking” does not imply one is better. However, context can make contrast feel positive or negative.
How do compare and contrast appear in IELTS?
IELTS task 2 essays often ask you to “compare and contrast”. Use “compare” to discuss similarities and “contrast” or “in contrast” to highlight differences. Both comparing and contrasting show analytical writing skills that examiners reward.