Talking about Differences in English

Talking about Differences in English

Talking about Differences in English

Hello, dear English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we’re looking at a very useful topic: how to talk about differences in English. Whether you’re preparing for Cambridge exams, writing an essay, or simply expressing your thoughts more precisely, having a good range of expressions will help you sound confident and natural. Talking about Differences in English

Using Comparatives to Show Difference

One of the most common ways to talk about difference is by using comparative adjectives or adverbs.

• After she became a vegetarian, Tara felt healthier and got slimmer.
• When they told the boy to be quiet, he started shouting even more loudly.

You can also add modifiers to make your comparisons stronger or weaker:

• The football team played much better than last week.
• It’s a bit colder than yesterday.
• This novel is not quite as interesting as that one.
• You write way better than you did last year.

These little modifiers help you express the exact degree of difference—very useful in both speaking and writing. 

Expressions for Talking about Differences

Apart from comparatives, English offers plenty of idiomatic expressions to highlight contrasts. Let’s look at some of the most useful ones.

Same difference

We use same difference to say that two options are essentially the same, even if they appear different.

• “We can go to Spain or to France.” “Same difference – it’ll cost the same.”
• “You bought vanilla? I asked for chocolate!” “Vanilla, chocolate… same difference.”

A world apart

If two things or people are a world apart, they are completely different.

• Celia and I were similar in school, but now we’re a world apart — she’s a politician, and I’m a basketball coach.
• We can’t price these two products the same; their quality is a world apart. Talking about Differences in English

A welcome change

A welcome change is a positive, refreshing change — something you’ve needed for a long time.

• Fiona’s holiday was a welcome change after months of hard work.
• A quiet country life was a welcome change for Peter after years in the noisy city.

Make a difference

To make a difference means to have a real, meaningful impact.

• As a student, Sean wanted to make a difference by joining environmental projects.
• Would it make a difference if you moved to a small island instead of a big city?

It makes no difference

This means that a choice or change doesn’t affect the outcome.

• “Shall we leave at 5 or 6?” “It makes no difference to me.”
• The colour of the curtains makes no difference to the overall look of the room.

And now for something completely different

This humorous expression, made famous by Monty Python’s Flying Circus, is used when changing the subject.

• We had a wonderful holiday. And now for something completely different — back to work tomorrow!
• Radio host: “And now for something completely different — the latest football scores.” Talking about Differences in English

As different as chalk and cheese

If two things or people are as different as chalk and cheese, they are totally opposite.

• Although they were brothers, they were as different as chalk and cheese.
• Darren doubted he’d get along with his new colleague — they seemed as different as chalk and cheese.

Compare apples and oranges

We say this when two things are so different that comparing them is pointless.

• Comparing me to your mother is like comparing apples and oranges.
• Being a teacher and being an engineer are apples and oranges — completely different jobs.

A far cry

If something is a far cry from something else, it is very different in a noticeable way.

• Your new house is a far cry from your old one — much bigger and brighter!
• Their profit this year is a far cry from last year’s loss.

Understanding how to talk about differences helps you express yourself more accurately and naturally — a vital skill for everyday communication and exam success. Try using these expressions in your writing and speaking, and you’ll soon notice how much more fluent you sound.

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