1. Simple comparison

You can use “compared to“,”compared with“,”in comparison to” and “in comparison with” same.

For example:

– Prices in the UK are high compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in) Canada and Australia.

– Compared to / with / in comparison with (prices in) Canada and Australia, prices in the UK are high.

When writing about numbers or changes, the words “while” or “whereascan be used in many situations:

– There are 5 million smokers in the UK, while / while only 2 million Canadians and 1 million Australians smoke.

– Between 1990 and 2000, the number of smokers in the UK decreased dramatically, while / whereas the figures for Canada and Australia remained the same.

Note:

We are not say “comparing to”.

We say “2 million” , are not say “2 millions”.

Correct way to say: 10 million people

Wrong way to say: 10 millions of people, 10 millions of people, 10 million of people

When exact figures are not available, it is possible to write “millions of“.

eg Millions of people travel abroad each year.

2. Comparative vocabulary

Here are some very good comparison phrases that you should apply:

– The chart compares… in terms of the number of…

– …is by far the most… OR …has by far the highest number of…

– the figures for… tend to be fairly similar

– In second place on the chart is…*

– The number of… is slightly higher than…

– Only four other countries have…

– …all with similar proportions of…

– …is the only country with a significantly higher proportion of…

Note: Only use phrases like “in second place“If the chart mentions rankings or competition between objects. You should not write”in first/second place” if the chart is about unemployment or health/medical problems.

3. Comparative and superlative

Comparing and contrasting figures is a highly appreciated skill in Writing Task 1. Superlatives and superlatives are the two most effective and commonly used methods.

>> Comparative is used when comparing two objects:

Ex: Leopards are faster than tigers.

>> Superlative is used to compare a prominent object in the group:

Ex: The leopard is the largest of the four big cats.

The table below will help you better visualize the above comparisons:

4. Other comparative vocabulary

Comparative and superlative are used to compare and contrast, but not enough to diversify the description in the report.

In addition, there are other comparative expressions as follows:

Linking words

The Middle East produces high levels of oil; however, Japan produces none.

The USA produces large amounts of natural gas. In contrast, South Korea produces none.

European countries make great use of solar power. On the other hand, most Asian countries us this method of power generation very little.

Conjunctions

The Middle East produces high levels of oil, while / while Japan produces none.

while / while the Middle East produces high levels of oil, Japan produces none.

Although the Middle East produced 100 tons of oil, Japan produced none.

Other structures

Developing countries are more reliant on alternative energy production charcoal developed countries.

Solar power accounts for far less of the total energy production charcoal gas or coal does.

Hydropower is not as efficient as wind power.

Like Japan, South Korea does not produce any natural gas.

The Middle East produces twice as much oil as Europe.

Western countries consume three times more oil charcoal the Middle East.

Russia consumes slightly more German coal oil.

The UAE production the same amount of oil as Saudi Arabia.