MountainManWannabe
Member
So, I was listening to the radio today when the announcer asked me to compare and contrast two things. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Check out the definition of compare.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Compare
You'll notice that when you compare two things you note their similarities and differences. Now, if I've already compared them, why do I have to then go ahead and again tell how they are different?
This has bugged me ever since High School. Compare and contrast the two books. Compare and contrast the two time periods. Every time a teacher ever asked me to compare and contrast they were always WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!
It's basically just a way people try to sound smarter than they really are.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Compare
You'll notice that when you compare two things you note their similarities and differences. Now, if I've already compared them, why do I have to then go ahead and again tell how they are different?
This has bugged me ever since High School. Compare and contrast the two books. Compare and contrast the two time periods. Every time a teacher ever asked me to compare and contrast they were always WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!
It's basically just a way people try to sound smarter than they really are.