Connecting words used for comparing and contrasting

What Are Compare And Contrast Transition Words?

As the name clearly implies, they are transition words that establish a comparison or a contrast between one thing and another. These are very useful and quite widely used in any form of writing. The overall effect that comparing expressions and contrast expressions produce is that they make your essays flow much better. By using them, you’ll ensure that each and every point you introduce in the piece has a context in relation to each other.  

Compare And Contrast Transition Words: Defined And Explained

Comparison Words

What are some ‘similarity transition words or transition words’ for explaining what two things have in common? Here are a few examples:

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  In the same way
  
• 
  In like manner
  
• 
  Likewise
  
• 
  Similarly
  
• 
  By the same token
  

Hence, for example, if you were describing the likeness between the speeds of two different subspecies of lions, you could word it like so: ‘subspecies A can reach speeds up to 40 mph. Similarly, subspecies B can achieve a maximum of 35 mph.

Could ‘in addition’ transitions fit into the domain of comparative phrases as well?

The answer is ‘yes’. These can often be used to link multiple traits or features to one entity. For instance, if you want to discuss the multiple benefits of exercise but don’t want your sentences to be too lengthy. You could use transition words like ‘in addition’ and ‘furthermore’, to list more benefits in a new sentence. Here are a few examples of these comparison terms in use:

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  ‘Keeping your tires properly inflated can help prevent random blowouts on the road. In addition, it will also mean that you don’t have to spend money as often to replace them. ‘
  
• 
  ‘Having a morning cup of coffee will give you the energy you need to start off the day. Furthermore, it will make sure that you don’t get grumpy as the day progresses.’
  
• 
  ‘Learning to play instruments as a family will help you become much closer with each other. On top of that, you’ll have a really great time.’
  

Contrast Words

Whatever would we do without transitions signifying contrast? There would be no way for us to articulate our polar, different and conflicting ideas and thereby debates could not exist. Hence, contrast words are very important to any essay.

Let’s take a look at some different ‘categories’ of these contrasting words:

What are some ‘opposite’ transition words or phrases?

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  In contrast
  
• 
  Conversely
  
• 
  At the other end of the spectrum
  

What are some ‘difference’ transition words or phrases?

• 
  Dissimilarly
  
• 
  A clear difference
  

What are some ‘conflict’ transition words or phrases?

• 
  However
  
• 
  Nevertheless
  
• 
  On the one hand
  
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  On the other hand