a difficult comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing two or more items, ideas, or situations that are challenging to evaluate against each other. Example: "When comparing the two novels, it was a difficult comparison due to their vastly different themes and writing styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Yet it is a difficult comparison to make.

The Guardian - Sport

The player was honest enough to mumble something about that being "a difficult comparison".

The Guardian - Sport

Judged by private-sector standards -- a difficult comparison to be sure -- chief executives and management experts tend to give the mayor high praise.

The New York Times

Analysts said the company faced a difficult comparison with May 1999 figures, because McDonald's was running a popular Beanie Babies giveaway last year.

The New York Times

Kraft also said sales were hurt by the stronger dollar and by a difficult comparison with last year, when an accounting change raised sales.

The New York Times

Also today, the Target Corporation, the No. 4 United States retailer, warned that higher store opening expenses and a difficult comparison with a year earlier would limit its earnings growth in the third quarter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The iPhone 6 is an anomaly, and so it creates a very difficult comparison for us," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

The research analyst cautioned that this is only the first month of the quarter and that February presents a more difficult comparison for the bakery-restaurant company.

Forbes

Correct detection of the target, delivered randomly in any of the three intervals, resulted on the next trial in the identical and target phonemes being chosen from a more difficult comparison (e.g., files #11 and #86; i.e., step size 10).

Ear and Hearing

Evaluating a change in an entire society involves the same kinds of difficult comparisons, plus a whole collection of additional ones based on distributive concerns.

SEP

Best Buy's revenue for the quarter slid 9.6% to $9.38 billion, which the retailer attributed to difficult comparisons from an additional week during the same period in 2012.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult comparison", ensure you articulate why the comparison is challenging. Providing context helps your audience understand the nuances involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult comparison" when the comparison is merely complex or requires deeper analysis. Reserve it for scenarios where fundamental differences make a fair assessment genuinely problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult comparison" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "comparison". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to introduce or highlight the complexity involved in evaluating two or more items.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult comparison" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the presence of significant challenges in evaluating two or more items, ideas, or situations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "a challenging comparison" or "a complex comparison" exist, "a difficult comparison" effectively conveys the specific nuance of inherent problems in assessment. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to articulate the specific reasons why the comparison is difficult to provide clear context for the audience. Avoid using it when the comparison is merely complex, saving it for scenarios with fundamental differences. It is important to provide context and clear justifications when you use this expression in your sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging comparison

Emphasizes the level of difficulty in making the comparison.

a tough comparison

Highlights the robustness and complexity involved in comparing.

a complex comparison

Focuses on the multifaceted aspects that make the comparison intricate.

a problematic comparison

Suggests that the comparison might lead to misleading or inaccurate conclusions.

a delicate comparison

Implies that care and sensitivity are needed when drawing parallels.

an unfair comparison

Highlights potential biases or imbalances in the elements being compared.

a strained comparison

Indicates that the connection between the things compared is not natural or obvious.

a misleading comparison

Suggests that the comparison could lead to incorrect assumptions or interpretations.

a tenuous comparison

Highlights that the basis for comparison is weak or uncertain.

a questionable comparison

Raises doubts about the validity or appropriateness of the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult comparison" to introduce a statement about the challenges in comparing two or more things. For example: "Assessing the success of the two projects is "a difficult comparison", given their differing objectives and resource allocations."

What are some alternatives to "a difficult comparison"?

Some alternatives include "a challenging comparison", "a complex comparison", or "a tough comparison". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "a difficult comparison" different from "a simple comparison"?

"A difficult comparison" implies significant hurdles in making a fair assessment, often due to fundamental differences. "A simple comparison", on the other hand, suggests straightforward evaluation without major obstacles.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "a difficult comparison"?

Use "a difficult comparison" when there are inherent disparities that make it hard to draw meaningful parallels. This could arise from differing metrics, contexts, or underlying principles.