Commonly Confused Words

Compared to vs. Compared with

• Both of these phrases are used to look at two different items side by side, i.e., to compare them.

• Compare to: To compare something to something else is to observe or point only to likenesses between them. In other words, you are likening one thing to another, or you are making a comment about their similarities. (拟人)

  He compared their historic win to that of the 1992 Dream Team.

• Compared with: To compare something with something else is to place the items side by side, noting differences and similarities between them.

  They won the championship in a clean sweep, compared with last year’s game 7 loss.

while vs. whereas

• Both words can be used to show contrast

• while is more closely associated with time and duration.

  While I cooked, she set the table.

• whereas has more to do with contrast.

  This one is black, whereas that one is white.

analysis vs. analyze

analysis = noun; analyze = verb

In RNA-seq analysis, we analyzed the data with ….

principle vs. principal

Principal = adjective; Principle = noun

The principal author (主要作者) outlined the theories and principles that arose from the study.

effect vs. affect

Effect = noun; Affect = verb

The effect was strong; the drug affected all members of the experimental group.

personnel vs. personal

Personnel = noun (人员；职员；人事部门); Personal = adjective

The company’s personnel do not like to discuss their personal problems.

References

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