Expressing relationships between ideas is one of the most important skills when building fluent English sentences. Connectors are the tools that make this possible, and mastering them will immediately improve both your writing and speaking. This lesson focuses on four essential connectors of comparison: similarly, likewise, equally, and as... as.
What is a connector and why does it matter?
A connector is a word or phrase used to express the relationship between ideas and to combine sentences [0:22]. Without connectors, your English sounds choppy and disconnected. When you learn to use them properly, your communication becomes more natural and precise.
Comparison connectors, specifically, help you show how two things are alike or share qualities. Let's break down each one.
How do you use similarly, likewise, equally and as... as?
What does similarly mean?
Similarly means in a similar way [1:03]. It highlights a resemblance between two things without saying they are identical.
- "The women are similarly dressed."
- "Apples can fit in the palm of your hand, similarly to oranges." [3:00]
Use similarly when two things share a characteristic but are not exactly the same. For instance, coffee is similarly colored to Coca-Cola — the color is close, but not identical [3:50].
What does likewise mean?
Likewise means in the same way or also [1:18]. It works well when the second subject performs the same action as the first.
- "She put on her winter coat. Likewise did Debbie." [1:28]
- "He arrived late to the party. Likewise did his sister." [4:32]
What does equally mean?
Equally means in the same manner or to the same extent [1:40]. It emphasizes that two things reach a very similar level.
- "My opinions are equally valid."
- "Apples and oranges are equally heavy." [3:18]
- "All the dogs at the park were equally excited." [4:15]
When you say something is equally exciting, heavy, or valid, you are saying the level is practically the same for both.
How does the structure as... as work?
As... as is used to compare two things directly [1:57]. The structure requires an adjective or adverb placed between the two instances of as.
- "The cat is as cute as the dog." [2:18]
- "Oranges are as delicious as apples." [3:27]
You can also use as... as in negative form to show a difference [2:35]:
- "The cat isn't as big as the dog."
- "The dog isn't as curious as the cat."
In the negative, as... as tells us the two things are not equal in that specific quality.
How can you practice these connectors effectively?
The best way to internalize these connectors is through active comparison. Pick any two objects, animals, or people and try to form sentences:
- Use similarly when a quality is close but not exact.
- Use likewise when the same action or situation applies to both.
- Use equally when the degree or level is the same.
- Use as... as for direct comparison with an adjective or adverb.
A fun exercise from the lesson: compare a gorilla and a grizzly bear [5:01]. For example, "A gorilla is as strong as a grizzly bear," or "Both animals are equally impressive." Try forming your own comparisons and share them in the comments — the more sentences you write, the faster these connectors will become second nature.
