IELTS Vocabulary for Comparisons: More, Less, Similar

Quick Answer: To score high in IELTS, you need more than simple "more than" or "less than". Use synonyms like significantly higher, marginally lower, and comparable to to show range. This post covers key comparison phrases for both Academic Task 1 (data descriptions) and Task 2 (essays), with band-specific examples and common pitfalls.

Table of Contents

Why Comparison Vocabulary Matters in IELTS

Vocabulary for 'More' – Expressing Increases and Superiority

Vocabulary for 'Less' – Expressing Decreases and Inferiority

Vocabulary for 'Similar' – Expressing Equality and Proximity

Using Comparisons in IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)

Using Comparisons in IELTS Writing Task 2

Band Score Comparison Table

Why Comparison Vocabulary Matters in IELTS

Comparisons are everywhere in IELTS. In Writing Task 1 you compare data across years, categories, or groups. In Writing Task 2 you weigh benefits of different policies or argue for one side over another. Even in Speaking Part 3 you compare past vs. present, or local vs. global trends.

The Lexical Resource (vocabulary) band descriptor explicitly rewards "a wide range of vocabulary" and "use of less common items". If you only use more, less, and similar again and again, you cap yourself at Band 6 or 7. Varying your comparison language shows control and flexibility.

Let's break down the three categories: more (superiority), less (inferiority), similar (equality/proximity). For each I'll give you:

Adjectives/adverbs

Verbs

Nouns

Prepositional phrases

Vocabulary for 'More' – Expressing Increases and Superiority

Category	Examples
Adjectives	higher, greater, larger, longer, faster, stronger, more substantial, more significant, more pronounced, more dramatic
Adverbs	substantially, considerably, markedly, significantly, noticeably, far, much, vastly
Verbs	exceed, surpass, outstrip, outpace, overtake, increase more than, rise more steeply than
Nouns	a higher proportion, a greater percentage, a larger share, an excess, a surplus
Phrases	… is twice as high as … / … is three times greater than … / … is far more common than …

Example: The profit margin in 2022 was considerably higher than in 2021, exceeding the target by 15%. Tip: Use intensifiers (markedly, substantially) to show degree. Avoid overusing very – it’s too weak for academic writing.

Vocabulary for 'Less' – Expressing Decreases and Inferiority

Category	Examples
Adjectives	lower, smaller, shorter, weaker, slower, less significant, less pronounced, more modest
Adverbs	marginally, slightly, somewhat, moderately, barely, hardly, less
Verbs	fall short of, underperform, trail behind, lag behind, drop below, decline more than
Nouns	a smaller proportion, a lower percentage, a minority, a deficit, a decline
Phrases	… is half as much as … / … is not as (adjective) as … / … is far less common than …

Example: The rural population lagged behind the urban one, with a marginally lower growth rate of 2%. Tip: Use slightly or marginally for small differences, and considerably or far for large ones – this creates precision.

Vocabulary for 'Similar' – Expressing Equality and Proximity

Category	Examples
Adjectives	similar, comparable, equivalent, identical, almost identical, near-identical, analogous
Adverbs	similarly, likewise, equally, almost exactly, approximately, roughly
Verbs	resemble, mirror, correspond to, match, parallel, be akin to
Nouns	a similarity, a parallel, an equivalence, a match, a near-identical pattern
Phrases	… is virtually the same as … / … is in line with … / … is comparable to … / … is on a par with …

Example: The unemployment rate in Germany mirrored that of France, both hovering around 5% over the decade. Tip: When numbers are close but not exactly equal, use almost, nearly, or roughly before a similarity word – e.g., roughly comparable.

Using Comparisons in IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)

In Task 1 you describe a chart, table, map, or graph. The examiner expects you to compare data within the same chart or across different time periods.

Structures to master:

“The number of X was significantly higher than Y.”

“While X increased dramatically, Y rose only marginally.”

“A similar pattern can be observed for …”

“Both categories experienced an upward trend, but X outpaced Y.”

Example paragraph (Band 8):

Between 2010 and 2020, the proportion of renewable energy exceeded that of fossil fuels. In 2010 renewables made up only 20%, lagging far behind fossil fuels (70%). However, by 2020 renewables had surged to 65%, overtaking fossil fuels, which declined to 28%. This mirrors the trend seen in several European nations.

Using Comparisons in IELTS Writing Task 2

In Task 2, you might compare two opinions, two solutions, or past vs. present. Use comparison words to strengthen your argument.

Structures:

“On the one hand, … is more effective because … On the other hand, … is less costly.”

“The drawbacks of X are far more significant than the benefits of Y.”

“A similar argument can be made for …”

“This situation is analogous to …”

Example (Band 9):

While some argue that public transport is superior to private cars in reducing emissions, others claim the benefits are comparable only if the infrastructure is modernised. In fact, the carbon footprint of a full bus is considerably lower than that of a single-occupancy car, but equals an electric car carrying three passengers. Thus, the optimal solution mirrors a mix of both systems.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants (for comparisons)
6	Uses a limited range of comparison words (more, less, similar) with some repetition. Grammatical errors may appear (e.g., “more better”).
7	Uses a sufficient variety (e.g., significantly higher, marginally lower). Less common items are attempted, though not always correctly.
8	Uses a wide range of comparison vocabulary naturally and accurately. Includes verbs like exceed or mirror and phrases like on a par with.
9	Shows full flexibility. Uses precise intensifiers, idiomatic collocations (vastly different, almost identical), and sophisticated structures (in stark contrast to, a direct parallel with).

Sample Answers

Task: Compare the popularity of reading books vs. watching films among 18–25 year olds using the data: 2010: books 45%, films 55%; 2020: books 30%, films 70%. Band 7: In 2010, reading books was less popular than watching films (45% vs 55%). By 2020, the gap widened – films grew to 70%, while books dropped to 30%. So films became much more common. (Simple but adequate. Uses widened, dropped, much more.) Band 8: In 2010, the proportion of young adults who preferred reading books was markedly lower than that for film-watching, at 45% and 55% respectively. Over the following decade, this disparity became more pronounced; film’s popularity soared to 70%, whereas reading plummeted to just 30%. Thus, films outpaced books by a considerable margin. (Uses markedly lower, more pronounced, soared, plummeted, outpaced, considerable margin.) Band 9: The year 2010 saw a modest preference for films over books (55% vs 45%), but by 2020 the contrast had become stark. Film consumption skyrocketed to 70%, vastly outstripping reading, which contracted to a mere 30%. This parallels a broader cultural shift towards digital media. The reading rate in 2020 was barely half the film rate, underscoring a near‑identical decline pattern across other leisure activities. (Includes modest preference, stark contrast, skyrocketed, vastly outstripping, contracted, parallels, barely half, near‑identical – shows full range.)

Common Mistakes

❌Using “more” with short adjectives incorrectly – more high should be higher. Remember: one‑syllable adj → ‑er; two+ syllables → more/less.

❌Repeating the same comparisons – “The number was more than… and also more than…”. Vary with greater, higher, larger, exceeds.

❌Misusing “similar” for exact equality – “The values were similar” is fine, but if they are 50 and 50, say identical or equal.

❌Forgetting intensifiers – “The rate was higher” is bland. Add substantially, marginally to show degree.

❌Overusing “very” – very high → extremely high / remarkably high. Avoid very in academic writing.

Top Tips

💡 Build a word bank: For each category (more/less/similar), list 5 synonyms you can use automatically. Practice writing sentences with them.

💡 Study collocations: a significant increase, a slight drop, almost identical – learn these as chunks.

💡 In Task 1, always make at least four comparisons: two “more”, one “less”, one “similar”. This shows range.

💡 Use a variety of grammatical structures: comparatives, superlatives, as…as, not as…as, the more…the more.

💡 Practice with real IELTS questions: Describe a chart from a practice test using at least three different comparison phrases.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their vocabulary builder exercises specifically target comparison language with model answers.

FAQ

Q: Should I use “more than” in every sentence? A: No. Vary with exceeds, surpasses, is greater than. In Task 2, you can use a more effective solution or superior to. Q: Can I use “similar” for numbers that are exactly the same? A: It’s better to use identical, equal, the same. “Similar” implies close but not exact. Q: Is it okay to use contractions like “more’s” or “less’s”? A: No. Avoid contractions entirely in academic writing. Write more is, less has. Q: How many comparison words should I use in Task 1? A: Aim for 3–5 different comparison phrases in your 150‑word report. That’s enough to show range without forcing them. Q: Do comparisons count towards Task Achievement? A: Yes. Task Achievement specifically requires you to “present and compare data”. So make sure you actually compare, not just describe.

Key Takeaways

✅Know the three core categories: more (superiority), less (inferiority), similar (equality/near‑equality).

✅Use precise intensifiers (substantially, marginally, almost) to show the strength of the difference.

✅Avoid repetition: rotare among adjectives, verbs, nouns, and prepositional phrases.

✅Practice with real Task 1 and Task 2 prompts, and check your lexical range against the band descriptors.

Related Posts:

IELTS Vocabulary for Describing Trends: Rise, Fall, Fluctuate

How to Write a Band 9 Overview for Task 1

Top 20 Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2