Compare vs. Contrast

What are the differences between 'compare' and 'contrast'? Well, we're gonna learn about them here. What are you waiting for? C'mon.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of them are used to point out the differences and similarities between two or more things/people. However, 'compare' is used to show the similarities and 'contrast' is used to differentiate the dissimilarities between them.

Differences

As stated above, we mainly use compare to refer to the differences between two or more things/people. Check out the following examples:

Comparing these two different personality types has helped me gain a lot in human psychology, you know.

It's not healthy for your mental health to keep comparing yourself with others.

'Contrast', in other words, shows the differences between two or more things/people. Check out the following examples:

In contrast, I think that she's right.

In contrast to the popular belief, she thinks that Amber Heard is indeed a kind-hearted woman.

Similairites

As stated above, 'compare' and 'contrast' are both used to talk about the similarities and differences between two or more things/people. Check out the following examples:

In contrast to what you're saying, I think it's pretty urgent.

Why do you keep comparing yourself with her?

Are They Interchangeable?

Although both of them are used to indicate the similarities and dissimilarities between several things, they cannot be used interchangeably because they are opposites. Compare:

✓ In contrast to what most people think, I don't believe in the existence of God.

X I compare to what most people think, I don't believe in the existence of God.

As you can see, this sentence is both grammatically incorrect and semantically different.

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