1. Compare and contrast are words that are often used to talk about the similarities and differences between two things or objects.
2. Apart from the difference in their meaning, one struggles to find any differences between the two.
3. According to various dictionaries, compare means ‘to represent things or objects in respect of similarity’ and contrast means ‘to represent things in respect of differences.’
4. If a person is looking at the similarities between two objects or things, then he may be comparing the two. On the other hand, if a person is looking at the dissimilarity between two things or objects, then he may be contrasting the two.
5. Where compare emphasises the similar qualities, contrast emphasises the differences.
6. The word compare has been derived from the Latin word ‘comparare’, which means ‘to liken or to compare.’ The word contrast has been derived from the Latin word ‘contra’ and ‘stare’, which means ‘against’ and ‘to stand.’
