a comparison over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comparison over" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are discussing the act of comparing two or more items or subjects, but "comparison of" is more standard. Example: "The study conducted a comparison over the effectiveness of different teaching methods."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Design This study was a comparison over time.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

As a comparison, over the same period the Montenegrin government adopted about 350 laws, Serbia 500 and Croatia about 750.

The Guardian

Although the book does not add to historical knowledge of the individual cases, it may be the first to bring them together in a comparison over time.

The New York Times - Books

This study examined such a comparison over the Okanagan Valley and Kamloops region of British Columbia where good quality soil pit and soil survey data were available.

Geoderma

One prime exhibit in the re port was a comparison, over the last eight years, of bud getary aspirations and the in evitably lesser expenditures over the whole Forest Service system.

The New York Times

Indices allow the linkage of different policy types with their respective integration outcomes, and a comparison over countries and time.

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For centuries the chief stick with which Jonson has been beaten has been the supposedly natural talent of his friend and rival - a comparison which over-simplifies both writers.

The Guardian - Books

In comparison, over-the-top is even worse.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, as the Chartered Institute of Housing showed in June, the official figures don't give a proper comparison over a series of years.

The Guardian

The first step focuses on a detailed comparison over an ensemble of 25 ground motion records.

Engineering Structures

According to a comparison of over 20 climate models, by 2050 the probability of a summer warmer than the warmest yet recorded will be between 10% and 50% in much of the world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider using "a comparison of" or "a comparison between" for clearer and more common phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "over" when "of" or "between" more accurately reflects the relationship you are comparing. The preposition "over" often implies a sense of dominance or covering, which is usually not intended in comparative contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comparison over" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the act of comparing entities across a certain domain or scope. Ludwig AI suggests that "a comparison of" is generally preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a comparison over" isn't strictly incorrect, it's less common and idiomatic than alternatives like "a comparison of" or "a comparison between". Ludwig AI highlights this preference. It functions as a noun phrase, typically in neutral registers, and is found more frequently in scientific and news contexts. For clarity and wider acceptance, opting for the more standard alternatives is often advisable. Remember to consider the context and aim for the most precise and common phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comparison of

Replaces "over" with the more standard preposition "of" for comparisons.

a comparison between

Specifies that the comparison involves two or more distinct entities.

a comparative analysis of

Emphasizes the analytical nature of the comparison.

a contrast between

Highlights the differences being compared.

an evaluation of

Shifts focus to assessing the value or merit through comparison.

a survey of

Suggests a broad overview comparing multiple items.

a study comparing

Highlights that a comparison is performed with scientific rigour.

a side-by-side comparison

Emphasizes the direct juxtaposition of the items being compared.

an appraisal of

Implies a formal assessment involving comparison.

a review of

Suggests a comprehensive overview and comparison.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "a comparison over"?

The phrases "a comparison of" or "a comparison between" are generally preferred and more widely used.

Is "a comparison over" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "a comparison over" is less conventional than "a comparison of" or "a comparison between". Its use may sound awkward to some readers.

In what contexts might "a comparison over" be appropriate?

You might use "a comparison over" when emphasizing the scope or domain across which the comparison is made, but even then, alternative phrasing is usually clearer. For example, "a comparison over time" could be used, but the phrase may need rephrasing for clarity.

How does "a comparison over" differ from "a comparison of"?

"A comparison of" is a standard way to indicate a comparison. "A comparison over", while understandable, is less common and may imply the comparison spans or covers a particular range or domain, though this nuance is often lost or unclear.