Ready to compare things like a confident speaker? This short lesson makes comparisons easy and useful.
Take a listen, try the mini-dialogue, then practice the quick quizzes — you'll get plenty of chances to say the phrases aloud.
Level B1: In Lesson 44 you'll practice common comparison phrases for everyday choices — saying similarities, differences, time comparisons, balanced points, and preferences. This lesson is CEFR-aligned and focuses on handy frames like “The main difference is…,” “Which one is more…?,” and “It depends on what you need.” By the end you'll be able to compare options clearly and give simple reasons for your choice.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Learn and use B1 comparison frames to explain differences and similarities.
Ask and answer simple comparison questions (e.g., Which one is more…?).
Speak a short, natural comparison in a real mini-conversation.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
The main difference is ___.
identify the most important difference
Meaning: identify the most important difference.
When to use: Useful summary phrase when you want to point out the biggest contrast between two options.
The main difference is the battery life — one phone lasts two days and the other one doesn't.
Example usage of this phrase.
The main difference is price: this model is cheaper but the other has a better camera.
Example usage of this phrase.
Both ___ and ___ are ___.
state what two things share
Meaning: state what two things share.
When to use: Use this frame to emphasize similar qualities of two items or people.
Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'Both A or B are' instead of the correct 'Both A and B are'.
Both the bus and the subway are cheap ways to travel.
Both the bus and the subway are cheap ways to travel.
Both tomatoes and peppers are healthy and full of vitamins.
Both tomatoes and peppers are healthy and full of vitamins.
It depends on what you need.
explain that the best choice changes by situation
Meaning: explain that the best choice changes by situation.
When to use: Say this when you don’t want to pick one best option without knowing the person's needs.
It depends on what you need — if you want speed, choose the train.
It depends on what you need — if you want speed, choose the train.
It depends on what you need: if you care about battery life, buy this model.
It depends on what you need: if you care about battery life, buy this model.
Which one is more ___?
Ask for a simple comparison of qualities
Meaning: Ask for a simple comparison of qualities.
When to use: Use when you want a direct comparison of a specific quality between two known options.
Which one is more comfortable?
Which one is more comfortable?
Which one is more expensive?
Which one is more expensive?
There isn't much difference between ___ and ___.
Say that two things are only slightly different
Meaning: Say that two things are only slightly different.
When to use: Use to minimize a contrast and suggest the choice is not critical.
There isn't much difference between these two chairs — both support your back well.
Example usage of this phrase.
There isn't much difference between the two plans for data: both give similar speeds.
Example usage of this phrase.
___ and ___ have a lot in common.
Say that two things share important similarities
Meaning: Say that two things share important similarities.
When to use: Use to point out big shared qualities before discussing small differences.
Macs and Windows laptops have a lot in common for everyday use.
Macs and Windows laptops have a lot in common for everyday use.
The two recipes have a lot in common: both use tomatoes and garlic.
The two recipes have a lot in common: both use tomatoes and garlic.
___ takes longer than ___.
Compare the time needed for two activities or options
Meaning: Compare the time needed for two activities or options.
When to use: Use when time or duration is the important factor in your comparison.
Driving takes longer than taking the train when traffic is bad.
Driving takes longer than taking the train when traffic is bad.
Cooking from scratch takes longer than using a ready meal.
Cooking from scratch takes longer than using a ready meal.
On the one hand, ___; on the other hand, ___.
Balance two contrasting points in a comparison
Meaning: Balance two contrasting points in a comparison.
When to use: Use to present pros and cons clearly before giving your opinion.
On the one hand, a car is faster; on the other hand, public transport is cheaper.
Example usage of this phrase.
On the one hand, this phone is lighter; on the other hand, the other model has a better camera.
Example usage of this phrase.
I prefer ___ to ___ because ___.
State a preference between two options and give a simple reason.
Meaning: State a preference between two options and give a simple reason.
When to use: Use to say which option you like more and say why in one sentence.
Tip: Learners sometimes say 'I prefer A than B' but the correct form is 'I prefer A to B'.
I prefer tea to coffee because I like the taste more.
I prefer tea to coffee because I like the taste more.
I prefer working from home to working in the office because I save commuting time.
Example usage of this phrase.
___ is easier to ___ than ___.
Compare two things by saying one is easier for a specific action.
Meaning: Compare two things by saying one is easier for a specific action.
When to use: Use when you want to say which option makes a task simpler.
Tip: Beginners may forget 'to' in 'easier to ___ than ___', e.g., say 'easier ___' instead of 'easier to ___'.
A hybrid bike is easier to ride than a racing bike for beginners.
A hybrid bike is easier to ride than a racing bike for beginners.
Using a template is easier to edit than starting from scratch.
Using a template is easier to edit than starting from scratch.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Choosing between two laptops
What are Anna and David deciding between?
Anna
Which one is more powerful?
Which one is more powerful?
David
It depends on what you need. For games, the first one. For travel, the second.
It depends on what you need. For games, the first one. For travel, the second.
Anna
On the one hand, the first has a better GPU; on the other hand, the second is lighter.
On the one hand, the first has a better GPU; on the other hand, the second is lighter.
David
The main difference is battery life — the second lasts much longer.
The main difference is battery life — the second lasts much longer.
Anna
Both models and brands have a lot in common, though: fast SSDs and good screens.
Both models and brands have a lot in common, though: fast SSDs and good screens.
David
I prefer the second to the first because it's lighter and quieter.
I prefer the second to the first because it's lighter and quieter.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which sentence asks for a direct comparison of a quality between two things?
Which phrase is best to say two things share important similarities?
If you want to avoid picking one 'best' option because it depends on the situation, which phrase fits?
Which frame helps you present pros and cons clearly?
Between the small car and the SUV, it depends on what you need.
Between the small car and the SUV, ___ .
Anna lists pros and cons and says, 'On the one hand, the old model has better battery; on the other hand, the new model is lighter.'
Anna lists pros and cons and says, '___ the old model has better battery; ___ the new model is lighter.'
Both the espresso machine and the French press are good — both make good coffee.
Both the espresso machine and the French press make good coffee. You could say, '___.'
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
The main difference is ___.
identify the most important difference
Say this phrase out loud:
Both ___ and ___ are ___.
state what two things share
Say this phrase out loud:
It depends on what you need.
explain that the best choice changes by situation
Say this phrase out loud:
Which one is more ___?
ask for a simple comparison of qualities
Say this phrase out loud:
There isn't much difference between ___ and ___.
say that two things are only slightly different
Say this phrase out loud:
___ and ___ have a lot in common.
say that two things share important similarities
Say this phrase out loud:
___ takes longer than ___.
compare the time needed for two activities or options
Say this phrase out loud:
On the one hand, ___; on the other hand, ___.
balance two contrasting points in a comparison
Say this phrase out loud:
I prefer ___ to ___ because ___.
state a preference between two options and give a simple reason
Say this phrase out loud:
___ is easier to ___ than ___.
compare two things by saying one is easier for a specific action
