By comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

"By comparison" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a transition to draw attention to two or more points of comparison. For example: By comparison, the Asian market for cars is much larger than in the United States.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By comparison, I.P.O.

The New York Times

By comparison, life is easy".

The Guardian - Music

By comparison, the A.F.L.-C.I.O.

The New York Times

By comparison, gas producers are political parvenus.

The New York Times

By comparison, Britain was an economic slum.

The Economist

By comparison, Louisville is a slight bunch.

The New York Times

By comparison, Mr Khatami is empty-handed.

The Economist

By comparison, "Morgenthau Plan" feels almost serene.

The New York Times

By comparison, the Republican offers were risible.

The New York Times

(By comparison, both coach tickets were $149).

The New York Times - Travel

By comparison, Stein's results were breathtaking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by comparison" to clearly signal that you are about to highlight the differences or similarities between two subjects. Ensure that the subjects are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by comparison" if the items being compared are not clearly established. This can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by comparison" functions as a transitional expression, primarily used to introduce a contrasting element or perspective. It signals that what follows will offer a different view or highlight differences, as confirmed by Ludwig and its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by comparison" is a commonly used transitional phrase that introduces contrasting information or viewpoints. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and primarily used in news and media, but it's also found in formal and business contexts. When using "by comparison", ensure a clear point of reference to maximize clarity. Alternatives like "in contrast" or "conversely" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In contrast

Focuses more directly on the difference or opposition between two things.

Conversely

Indicates a reversed or opposite situation, often used in formal contexts.

On the other hand

Introduces an alternative perspective or fact to consider.

Compared to

Directly juxtaposes two items to highlight their differences or similarities.

By way of contrast

A more emphatic way to introduce a contrasting element.

In stark contrast

Highlights a significant and obvious difference.

As opposed to

Emphasizes the opposition or distinction between two things.

Instead

Replaces one thing with another, indicating a preference or alternative.

Whereas

Introduces a statement that contrasts with or contradicts a previous statement.

Alternatively

Suggests another option or possibility.

FAQs

How do you use "by comparison" in a sentence?

The phrase "by comparison" is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous one. For example, "Our sales increased by 10%; by comparison, our competitor's sales decreased by 5%."

What are some alternatives to "by comparison"?

Alternatives to "by comparison" include phrases like "in contrast", "conversely", or "on the other hand". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "by comparison" or "compared to"?

Both "by comparison" and "compared to" are used for making comparisons, but "by comparison" typically introduces a new sentence or clause, while "compared to" is more directly integrated into the existing sentence. For example: "Compared to last year, profits are up" versus "Profits are up this year; by comparison, they were down last year."

What is the difference between "by comparison" and "in comparison"?

While both phrases serve to highlight similarities or differences, "by comparison" is more common. "In comparison" is grammatically correct but less frequently used. "By comparison" often introduces a slightly more direct contrast.