What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
analogies
Example
The structure of an atom can be explained using the analogy of a solar system. [analogy: noun]
Example
She used the analogy of a sports team to explain how different parts of a company work together. [analogy: noun]
comparison
Example
The comparison between the two products showed that one was more cost-effective. [comparison: noun]
Example
She compared the two novels to show how they differed in their themes. [compared: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Comparison is more commonly used than analogy in everyday language. Comparison is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while analogy is less common and often used in educational settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between analogies and comparison?
While analogy is typically associated with a more formal tone, comparison can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.