Improve Your Writing - 6 ways to compare

Summary

In this video, Emma teaches viewers useful vocabulary for comparing similarities between two things. Focusing on how Canada and England are alike, she explains words like 'both,' 'like,' 'similarly,' 'in comparison,' and 'likewise,' showing how to use them in sentences. These terms are helpful for TOEFL, IELTS, and academic writing. Emma also emphasizes correct sentence structure and prepositions while giving examples such as comparing pets, countries, or languages. Viewers are encouraged to visit the website for quizzes and additional learning resources.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video teaches key words for comparing similarities between two things.
• 🍎 'Both' is commonly used when comparing two things, and it often comes at the beginning of a sentence.
• 🇨🇦 Canada and England are used as examples of comparisons throughout the video.
• 🗣 The word 'like' can be used to show similarities, and it often comes at the beginning of a sentence followed by a noun.
• 📝 Comparison words like 'Similarly', 'In comparison', 'In the same way', and 'Likewise' can help emphasize similarities in writing.
• 🐱 The examples given, such as comparing 'cats and dogs', help illustrate how to use comparison words effectively.
• 📚 Words like 'is similar to' and 'is the same as' show different degrees of similarity between two things.
• 👩‍🏫 The video mentions that these comparison words are useful for TOEFL, IELTS, essays, and general conversation.
• 🔑 'In comparison' can also be used to show differences, depending on context.
• 💻 Viewers are encouraged to visit the website for more resources and practice using comparison words correctly.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video focuses on teaching key words and expressions used when talking about similarities between things, specifically how to compare two items and show their similarities.

What examples are used to illustrate comparing similarities?

The speaker uses several examples, such as comparing apples and oranges, comparing Canada and England, and comparing cats and dogs.

What is the significance of the word 'both' in comparisons?

The word 'both' is used to indicate that two things share a characteristic. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence, in the form 'both A and B'. For example, 'Both Canada and England have a queen.'

How is the word 'like' used differently in comparisons?

'Like' is used at the beginning of a sentence to compare two things by highlighting their similarity. For example, 'Like Canada, England has many immigrants.' This use of 'like' is different from expressing preference.

What are some other words or phrases used to express similarities?

Words like 'similarly', 'in comparison', 'in the same way', and 'likewise' can be used to show similarities between two things. These words are often followed by a comma when placed at the beginning of a sentence.

What is the difference between 'similar to' and 'the same as'?

'Similar to' suggests that two things are alike but not identical, while 'the same as' implies a stronger similarity, indicating that two things are almost identical.

What preposition should be used with 'similar'?

The correct preposition to use with 'similar' is 'to', as in 'Canada is similar to England'.

Can 'in comparison' be used to show both similarities and differences?

Yes, 'in comparison' can be used to show both similarities and differences between two things, depending on the context.

What are some common mistakes students make with comparison expressions?

A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as saying 'similar of' or 'similar for' instead of 'similar to'.

How can these comparison expressions be useful for language tests like TOEFL or IELTS?

These comparison expressions, such as 'similarly', 'likewise', and 'in the same way', are useful in language tests because they help improve clarity and coherence in writing and speaking tasks, which is important for achieving a higher score.