Use better than to compare two things, the best for the top of three or more, and more + a long adjective.
Saying one thing is better
Not ""This route is more better than that one."" — say ""This route is better than that one."". Better already means "more good," so you never add another more in front of it.
Try it: Lars: You tried three cafes. Which one for meeting friends? Amina: Ghafridge Cafe was ___ of the three. Choose the words for the blank. (the best / better than / more good) Answer: the best — With three or more choices, the top one is the best.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
better than
/ˈbetər ðæn/
Maya's second draft was better than her first.
the best
/ðə best/
Magaff Library has the best study rooms in town.
more
/mɔːr/
The second route is more convenient than the first.
Showing two things are alike
Use similar to or like to say two things are almost the same.
Not ""This cafe is similar Ghafridge Cafe." (missing the preposition)" — say ""This cafe is similar to Ghafridge Cafe."". Similar needs its partner to before the thing you compare with.
Try it: Diego: How was today's task? Lani: It was ___ the one we did yesterday. Choose the words for the blank. (similar to / similar from / similar than) Answer: similar to — Similar takes to before the thing you compare with.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
similar to
/ˈsɪmɪlər tə/
Mei's answer is similar to Hiroshi's.
like
/laɪk/
The new app works like a digital notebook.
Showing things are not the same
Use different from to say two things are not the same; Americans also say different than, but never different of.
Not ""The new schedule is different of the old one."" — say ""The new schedule is different from the old one."". Different pairs with from (or than in American English), never of.
Try it: Sofia: Was the online lesson like the classroom one? Diego: No, it felt ___ a real class. Choose the words for the blank. (different from / different of / similar from) Answer: different from — Different takes from to show two things are not the same, never "of".
Word
Pronunciation
Example
different from
/ˈdɪfrənt frəm/
Yasmin's opinion is different from Diego's.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"This route is more better than that one."
"This route is better than that one."
Better already means "more good," so you never add another more in front of it.
"This cafe is similar Ghafridge Cafe." (missing the preposition)
"This cafe is similar to Ghafridge Cafe."
Similar needs its partner to before the thing you compare with.
"The new schedule is different of the old one."
"The new schedule is different from the old one."
Different pairs with from (or than in American English), never of.