Transcript: Lesson 7: Language Focus: Phrases to

Compare Similarities
Hello, in this video we're going to talk about ways to compare different things in speaking. In English, we use
certain phrases to discuss things that are similar or different. We often use these phrases as a way to describe two
or more people, places, experiences, or things. Let's begin by talking about phrases used to compare two things. To
compare things is to talk about ways two things are the same.

Here are some examples of phrases to compare the similarities of two jobs and two places for job training. We'll
look at an example first, talk about the grammar structure, and then use it in another example.

Phrase 1: “are similar because”

Doctors and teachers are similar because they work with people.
The two nouns being compared are doctors and teachers in green and underlined. Then you see the phrase, “are
similar because” in purple and bold, followed by the independent clause, “they work with people” in red and italic.

An independent clause is a complete sentence that has a subject and a verb. In this example, the independent
clause has a subject, “they”, and a verb, “work”.

Here is another example comparing two places for education: community colleges and universities. Using the same
structure, the sentence would like this:

Community colleges and universities are similar because they offer

courses in sciences and humanities.
Notice that the independent clause in red and italic has a subject, “they”, and a verb, “offer”.

Phrase 2: “have something in common”

Doctors and teachers have skills and interests in common.

Again, the two nouns being compared are doctors and teachers in green. Then you see the phrase, “have _______
in common” in purple and bold. The nouns, “skills and interests” go in the middle of the phrase. It is important to
note that you must use at least one noun in the middle of this phrase.

Here's another example of the phrase, “have _______ in common”.

Community colleges and universities have science and humanities

courses in common.

© 2021 by FHI 360. “Transcript: Lesson 7: Language Focus: Phrases to Compare Similarities” for the Online
Professional English Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by
the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360. This work is an adaptation of “Video: Language Focus: 1
Phrases to Compare Similarities”, by The University of Pennsylvania licensed under the Creative Commons
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Phrase 3: “both/and”

Both doctors and teachers work with people to help them.

This sentence begins with the word “both” in purple and bold, followed by the two nouns in green and underlined,
and the verb phrase for more explanation. The verb phrase is very important, because it explains how the two
things are similar.

Here's another example using the phrase both/and.

Both universities and community colleges offer courses in sciences and

humanities.

Summary
So, let's review the three phrases to compare people, places, experiences, or things. One, are similar because. Two,
have something in common. And three, both/and. Remember that speakers use these phrases to make their ideas
clearer, and to explain how two things are similar.

What’s Next?
In the next video, we will look at some phrases to contrast the differences between two things.