簡簡單單的一個 SAME 字，文法上 ，可以是形容詞 adjective、代名詞 pronoun、助動詞adverb。
- 形容詞 same : 同一的，相同的， not different 或 not changing，一模一樣的。
- 代名詞 the same：相同的事物, the same thing or things例如：just the same, all the same, same here, more of the same 。
- 助動詞 in the same way : 同樣 ; same as usual, 和平時一樣。
我們要留意用 SAME 字時的文法特點和常見錯誤：
- same usually has ‘the’ before it, 例如They both have the same reasons for leaving。
- same never has ‘a’ before it .例如We went to the same school. 千萬不要說Not a same school。
- you can say that one thing is ‘the same as’ another. Do not use ‘like’ or ‘with’ : 例如 His answer was the same as mine (NOT the same like / with mine) 。
SAME 字用途廣泛
兩樣東西一模一樣， 同義詞有just like, exactly like, identical, can’t tell the difference, can’t tell them apart。
永遠一樣，可以說：stay the same , constant, consistent, unchanging。
另外，by the same token 相等於 for the same reason, 由於同樣的原因 。當你回應人家的問侯或辱罵時，to answer a greeting or an insult，你可以回應他一句 same to you，你也一樣。 所以，當人家祝您聖誕快樂，你可以簡單地說句：and the same to you 。假如當你酒吧想要酒時， you like an order for another drink of the same kind，洽當的用語是 The same again, please：再來一杯 。
當大家的處境景況相類似, 可以用上：We are in the same boat 難兄難弟，同病相憐，we are in the same difficult situation。
同聲同氣，同氣相求。假如你和另一個人的想法相同，或者和他的觀點很相像，你可以有多個英語的表達方式：
- We speak the same language: 表示我們有共同語言，意見和經歷相似，很容易溝通，因為立場和態度相同。
- We are on the same wavelength: 表示我們兩個人很合拍，彼此具有相同的思路，所謂英雄所見略同。
- We are like-minded : 我們想法相同，志趣相投，志同道合。
- We are in tune with each other: 大家容易協調、相處融洽。等於說 We sing the same tune；相反詞是 out of tune 不協調、 不融洽。
相反的說法，便是 we sing a different tune = we express different opinions about something :
- 某人的言行一反既往，現在看法完全改變了。
- 唱反調，表達着不同的意見。
異口同聲是 we are of one voice , we are in chorus；觸動感情，引起共鳴是 we strike a chord。
As Different as Chalk and Cheese
截然不同的人，最流行的隱喻是 a different kettle of fish，另一回事，兩碼子事, we can also call something entirely different a different kettle of fish, especially when something is more difficult, complicated, demanding. 不可同日而語。Mary enjoys playing the piano for her own pleasure, but she says playing in a open concert will be a very different kettle of fish 。
兩樣截然不同的東西，最鮮明的比喻是 as different as chalk and cheese, they are very different in appearance and character。乳酪和粉筆很不相像，just like you compare apples and oranges 两者截然不同，不宜比較。
從不同的⻆度看問題，結果會不一樣 You see someone/something in a different light, you see someone or something in a different point of view , you may change your opinion about someone or something . After long talks with a child’s teacher parents may see their child in a different light。
每個人都不是一樣的，不同的人或團體有不同需要，我們就應該考慮他們不一樣的訴求：different strokes for different folks = different things are done or liked by different people。
帶有 DIFFERENCE 一字 自然而流行的習慣說法很多：difference of opinion；make a difference；make all the difference in the world；a world of difference；same difference；split the difference。
A different ball of wax / A whole new ball game
以上兩種說法，差異不大，前者簡單表示 something not at all similar 例如：Sports are very popular but the Olympics are a different ball of wax.後者往往形容不同的處境 a completely different situation, a new situation very different from the present one 例如：The teenage world is a whole new ballgame for most parents。 目前的情況，己經跟以前很不相同，你便需要改變你的手法去應付 ，一如棒球手靈活的比賽方法，往往因對手而異。
