Analogous

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Analogous" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing two things that are similar in some way. For example: "The relationship between the two theories is analogous to that of a parent and child." Alternative expressions include "comparable," "similar," and "akin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"One analogy that was used, and I can't exactly remember where this came from, is that it was a bit analogous to moving house.

The Guardian

But in an analogous way Moscow is now lending them support, political and financial, thereby boosting European neo-fascism.

The Guardian - Opinion

They voice concerns that should she win the presidency with progressive support, Clinton would fail to implement a progressive agenda – analogous to how Barack Obama campaigned, twice, on a vow to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay, but has not.

The Guardian

Commentators citing first-year economics talked about the benefits of competition and free trade as if selling a natural resource once and for all was analogous to the market for coffee and as if benefits to foreign steel mills should be of concern to Australian taxpayers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Intensely seasonal, with each plate composed in the manner of a painting, kaiseki helps illustrate a sophisticated and evolving theory of Japanese cooking that is roughly analogous to Western haute cuisine.

The New York Times - Food

Conrad explained that the particles would be analogous to sending thousands of doctors down into the population of a large city to monitor what is going on with individuals, describing current medical techniques as having one doctor fly over the city it in a helicopter trying to see what's causing issues with individual people.

The Guardian - Tech

The requested message was in support of gay marriage and in no way analogous to discriminatory statements demanding that "Muslims go home", or containing an "anti-Catholic tirade".

The Guardian

Today the internet provides the virtual global landscape for an analogous struggle".

The Guardian

In a statement issued within hours of the piece's publication, the Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said: "As has happened previously in an analogous situation, it needs to be noted that that which Scalfari attributes to the pope, by putting his words into inverted commas, is the product of his memory as an expert journalist, but not the precise transcription of a recording".

The Guardian

However, she wilfully ignores what it means to cover schoolgirls' faces: the face-veil is no more just "a scrap of fabric" than a gag is, it is an iconic manifestation of an ideology which holds that women's faces are analogous to their genitals as a source of shame which must be hidden from all men other than their husbands.

The Guardian

They said why don't you make it an analogous play and look at the white working-class extremes in those northern cities, too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "analogous" when you want to highlight a functional or structural similarity between two distinct things, especially when drawing a comparison to explain a complex concept.

Common error

Avoid using "analogous" to indicate direct equality. "Analogous" implies a similarity that aids understanding, not a perfect match.

Linguistic Context

The word "analogous" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that something shares similar characteristics or performs a similar function as something else. Ludwig examples show its descriptive use. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "analogous" is a versatile adjective used to describe similarities between different things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts, highlighting its broad applicability. Remember to use it to clarify complex ideas by drawing comparisons, but avoid using it to express direct equality. Instead consider alternatives like "similar" or "comparable" when a more general resemblance is intended. Finally, ensure that its usage maintains a professional and clear tone across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar

A general term indicating resemblance without specifying the nature or degree of similarity.

comparable

Implies a degree of equivalence that allows for direct comparison.

parallel

Implies a close similarity in development or form.

equivalent

Suggests an equal value or function.

corresponding

Indicates a direct relationship or matching characteristic.

akin

Suggests a similarity in nature or qualities.

related

Indicates a connection or association, which may not be directly similar.

resembling

Suggests a visual or superficial similarity.

matching

Indicates an exact correspondence or agreement.

homologous

In biology, refers to structures with a shared ancestry but potentially different functions; outside of science, less interchangeable.

FAQs

How do I use "analogous" in a sentence?

Use "analogous" to describe something that is similar or comparable to something else. For example, "The human heart is analogous to a pump."

What's a simpler word I can use instead of "analogous"?

Alternatives include "similar", "comparable", or "related", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "analogous with" something else?

While "analogous to" is the more common and preferred construction, "analogous with" is sometimes used, though it's less frequent. Stick with "analogous to" for clarity.

What's the difference between "analogous" and "homologous"?

"Analogous" refers to similarity in function or appearance, while "homologous" refers to similarity due to shared ancestry. For example, the wings of a bird and a bat are analogous, but not homologous.