analogy
gb/ənˈæləd͡ʒi/ us/ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
B2
Inglés
~ 8600
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B2
relation
1
comparison used for explanation
A way of explaining something by comparing it to something else that is similar in an important way.
Patrón de uso:
an analogy between [A] and [B]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"make a comparison analogy"*, which is redundant; use either *"make a comparison"* or *"make an analogy"*. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is natural to say *"an analogy between A and B"* or *"an analogy to/with something"*, not *"an analogy of" in most cases.
Sinónimos
comparison (More general; does not always suggest explaining or clarifying something.)
|
metaphor (Specifically a figurative expression; an analogy can be broader and not always literary or poetic.)
Antónimos
contrast (Focuses on showing differences instead of similarities to explain something.)
Colocaciones
draw an analogy
|make an analogy
|use an analogy
|an analogy between
|a helpful analogy
|a simple analogy
Temas
communication
|education
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The teacher used the analogy of a tree to explain the structure of the company.
- In his speech, he drew an analogy between the internet and a global library.
- That analogy helps me understand how the immune system works.
- She made an analogy between the brain and a computer to simplify the idea.
- The article uses a driving analogy to clarify the risks of the new policy.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My coach gave an analogy to explain the game plan.
- The book uses an easy analogy to show how the heart works.
- He drew an analogy between learning English and learning to play the piano.
- This analogy makes the difficult idea clear for me.
- Our professor used a car analogy to explain the economy.
Sustantivo
formal
C1
relation
2
similarity or parallel between things
A way in which two or more things are similar, especially in their structure or how they work.
Patrón de uso:
a close analogy between [A] and [B]
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse this sense with simple *"similarity"* and overuse *"analogy"* in casual speech, where *"similarity"* or *"likeness"* sounds more natural. Also, avoid saying *"strong analogy of"*; instead say *"a close/strong analogy between A and B"* or *"an analogy to/with something"* in formal writing.
Sinónimos
parallel (Often used in formal contexts to emphasize a strong, structured similarity.)
|
resemblance (More general and less formal; does not strongly suggest a structured or functional similarity.)
Antónimos
difference (Emphasizes that things are not similar or parallel in structure or function.)
|
dissimilarity (A more formal word stressing the lack of similarity or analogy.)
Colocaciones
close analogy
|striking analogy
|direct analogy
|historical analogy
|useful analogy
|no real analogy
Temas
science
|philosophy
|thinking
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- There is a close analogy between the human brain and a complex computer network.
- Many scientists see a striking analogy between climate systems and financial markets.
- The legal system of that country has no real analogy in Europe.
- Historians often look for an analogy in the past to understand current events.
- The author argues that the analogy between the two conflicts is misleading.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- There is a close analogy between the two business models.
- Some people see an analogy between the human body and a machine.
- The teacher said there is no real analogy between these two problems.
- Scientists found an interesting analogy between bird flight and airplane design.
- We can find an analogy between language change and cultural change.
Sustantivo
technical
C2
event
3
pattern-based change in language
In the study of language, a change in a word or structure that happens because it copies the pattern of another word or structure.
Patrón de uso:
[form] is created by analogy with [existing form]
Error frecuente:
Learners may not realize that this is a special technical meaning in linguistics and may try to interpret it as a simple comparison. In this sense, *"analogy"* refers to a process or type of change in language, not to an example used for explanation.
Sinónimos
pattern extension (Descriptive phrase used in linguistics; less standard and more explanatory than the technical term "analogy".)
Antónimos
irregular change (Refers to changes that do not follow an existing pattern, the opposite of analogy-based regularization.)
Colocaciones
formed by analogy
|created by analogy
|analogy in language change
|analogy with existing forms
|morphological analogy
|analogy-based formation
Temas
language
|academia
|linguistics
|education
|communication
|science
Ejemplos
- The form "doves" instead of "dove" was influenced by analogy with regular plurals like "wolves".
- In many languages, new verb forms are created by analogy with the most common conjugation pattern.
- The children's use of "goed" for "went" is a clear case of analogy in language acquisition.
- Linguists argue that analogy plays a major role in morphological change over time.
- The spelling change was introduced by analogy with related words in the same family.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The child said "foots" by analogy with "books".
- New verbs can be formed by analogy with old verbs.
- In linguistics, analogy helps explain many changes in word forms.
- The plural "computers" is formed by analogy with many other English nouns.
- Sometimes students create wrong forms by analogy with regular patterns.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
analogy
AFI
GB/ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
US/ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
Sílabas y acento
ana - logy (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (logy)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: analogy
- Plural: analogies, analogy
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
by analogy
1/bˈaɪ ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
formal
reason or decide based on similarity
Using a known example as a model to understand or decide something about another, similar case.
Ejemplos
- By analogy with other viruses, researchers expected similar side effects.
- We can, by analogy, assume that the same rule applies in this situation.
- The judge reasoned by analogy from earlier cases with similar facts.
draw an analogy between
1/dɹˈɔ ən ənˈæləd͡ʒi bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
compare two things to explain
To talk about how two things are similar, usually to help explain something or make an argument.
Ejemplos
- The writer draws an analogy between modern smartphones and Swiss army knives.
- In his lecture, he drew an analogy between the brain and a city to make the concept easier to understand.
- Environmentalists often draw an analogy between plastic pollution and an oil spill.
make an analogy
1/mˈeɪk ən ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
create a comparison to clarify
To create or give a comparison between two things so that an idea is easier to understand.
Ejemplos
- The scientist made an analogy to everyday cooking to explain the chemical reaction.
- She made an analogy between team sports and group projects at work.
- It can be helpful to make an analogy when you explain a complex topic.
use an analogy
1/jˈuz ən ənˈæləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
employ a comparison to explain
To help explain something by giving a comparison with something else that is similar.
Ejemplos
- Teachers often use an analogy to introduce difficult ideas.
- You can use an analogy from sports to explain the company strategy.
- The presenter used an analogy to make the statistics more understandable.