Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

Showing that one thing is different from another in a particular way.

“Unlike the gym membership, the running club is free and meets outdoors.”

“The new phone plan, unlike your current one, includes calls to the United States.”

Often used: unlike the other option · quite unlike · unlike most

CELPIP tip: A compact way to show contrast in one sentence. Make sure the two things you compare are the same kind, such as plan with plan, not plan with price.

The ability of a product or material to last a long time without breaking or wearing out.

“The steel frame has much better durability, so the bike should last for years of city riding.”

“For a family with three kids, the durability of the leather sofa makes it worth the price.”

Often used: long-term durability · built for durability · the durability of

CELPIP tip: Link durability to a real benefit, such as fewer repairs or replacements. That turns a product feature into a persuasive reason.

Able to be used in many different ways or for many different purposes.

“The sofa bed is more versatile, since it works for guests and everyday seating.”

“A crossover is a versatile choice for city driving and weekend camping trips.”

Often used: a versatile option · remarkably versatile · versatile enough to

CELPIP tip: Give two specific uses after the word to prove the point. Versatile on its own sounds like an advertisement.

To spend less money on a particular type of cost, such as gas, rent or repairs.

“With the transit pass, you would save on gas and parking every single day.”

“Choosing the smaller apartment helps us save on rent and heating in the winter.”

Often used: save on gas · save a lot on · help you save on

CELPIP tip: Name the exact cost you are cutting after on. It gives the listener a practical reason to prefer your option over the other one.

To get someone who was unsure or opposed to agree with you or like your idea.

“Let me try to win you over, because the smaller apartment is closer to your office.”

“Once Priya saw the rink schedule, the community centre program won her over completely.”

Often used: try to win someone over · win someone over to an idea · finally win someone over

CELPIP tip: Use it near the start to signal your purpose, then give the reasons that actually do the winning over. The phrase alone does not persuade.

The option that is obviously better than the others once you compare them.

“For a family with two kids, the minivan is the clear winner.”

“If you care about quiet evenings, the cabin by the lake is the clear winner.”

Often used: emerge as the clear winner · the clear winner for · by far the clear winner

CELPIP tip: Save this for your conclusion, after you have compared both options. Saying it too early can sound like you skipped the comparison.

Money that you keep because one choice is cheaper to buy, run or maintain than another.

“The heat pump costs more at first, but the cost savings on hydro bills add up fast.”

“Think about the cost savings if we cook together instead of ordering takeout every Friday.”

Often used: significant cost savings · long-term cost savings · lead to cost savings

CELPIP tip: Support it with a simple example, such as a monthly bill, rather than exact figures you cannot back up. Concrete details sound more persuasive than general claims.

The amount of money you must pay at the beginning, before any savings appear.

“The heat pump has a higher upfront cost, but your monthly bills will drop.”

“Buying the bike has an upfront cost, whereas bike-share charges you each ride.”

Often used: a high upfront cost · cover the upfront cost · the upfront cost of

CELPIP tip: Contrast it with running costs to show you are thinking beyond the sticker price. That makes your comparison sound more complete.

To end up in a better position than the alternative after everything is considered.

“When you add up parking and gas, the transit pass comes out ahead every month.”

“On comfort alone, the bigger couch comes out ahead, even if it costs a bit more.”

Often used: come out ahead on price · clearly come out ahead · come out ahead overall

CELPIP tip: Pair it with the specific point of comparison, such as on price or on space. That shows the listener exactly why one option wins.

A request for the listener to let you finish explaining before they decide.

“I know you like the red jacket, but hear me out on the waterproof one.”

“Hear me out, Dad: the condo means no more shovelling snow every winter.”

Often used: just hear me out · hear me out on this · if you hear me out

CELPIP tip: A natural opener when the listener seems to favour the other option. Follow it immediately with your strongest reason so the request pays off.

Asks the listener to imagine a situation that shows why your choice is better.

“Picture this: a Saturday morning on the patio, coffee in hand, watching the lake.”

“Picture this, it's February, and your car starts easily because it's in a heated garage.”

Often used: just picture this · picture this scenario · picture this for a moment

CELPIP tip: Paint a short scene with sensory detail, then link it back to your chosen option. Keep the image brief so you still have room for practical reasons.

Introduces a new angle or picture that helps the listener see your point.

“Think of it this way: the bigger freezer means fewer trips to the grocery store.”

“Think of it this way, the course pays for itself if it gets you one promotion.”

Often used: try to think of it this way · if you think of it this way · think of it this way instead

CELPIP tip: Use it to reframe a price or inconvenience as a benefit. It works best right before a concrete everyday image the listener can picture.

To give reasons that show why a particular option or idea is the right one.

“I want to make the case for the used hybrid instead of the new sedan.”

“Tomás made the case for the evening class by pointing out he finishes work at five.”

Often used: make a strong case for · make the case for choosing · make the case against

CELPIP tip: This frame sets up a clear structure: announce your choice, then list two or three reasons. Keep the choice you argue for consistent until the end.

Introduces the other thing you are measuring an option against.

“Compared with the hotel, the rental cottage gives you a full kitchen and more privacy.”

“The bus is slower compared with the train, but it stops right at your door.”

Often used: compared with last year · when compared with · much cheaper compared with

CELPIP tip: Place it at the start of a sentence to open a comparison smoothly. Follow it with a comparative adjective like cheaper, roomier or quieter.

Used to show how something looks when you place it next to the other option.

“The downtown loft is noisy; by comparison, the suburban townhouse feels peaceful.”

“The old printer was slow and loud. By comparison, this model is a pleasure to use.”

Often used: small by comparison · pale by comparison · by comparison with

CELPIP tip: Good for switching from the weaker option to the stronger one mid-answer. It adds variety if you have already used compared with.

Without any doubt; easily and clearly better than anything else being compared.

“The farmers' market wins hands down for fresh vegetables in the summer.”

“Hands down, the downtown gym has better equipment than the one near your place.”

Often used: win hands down · hands down the best · beat something hands down

CELPIP tip: It fits the friendly tone of talking to a family member or friend. Use it once, and back it up with a concrete reason right after.

To have a small advantage that makes one option slightly better than another.

“The ground-floor unit is nice, but the corner unit has the edge over it for sunlight.”

“I think the cooking course has the edge over the photography one because you use it daily.”

Often used: have a slight edge over · have the edge over in terms of · give someone the edge

CELPIP tip: Useful when the difference is small. Add a phrase like in terms of or when it comes to so the listener knows which feature you mean.

To be the one factor that decides a choice when two options seem fairly equal.

“Both laptops are similar, but the longer battery life tips the balance for me.”

“The free shuttle to the ski hill should tip the balance toward the lodge in Banff.”

Often used: tip the balance in favour of · what tips the balance · enough to tip the balance

CELPIP tip: Admit the options are close, then name the single feature that tips the balance. It sounds fair-minded and persuasive at once.