a valid comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

"a valid comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two or more things or ideas are being compared to draw a conclusion. For example, "This theory is a valid comparison to the one we discussed earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here, Italy is a valid comparison.

The New York Times

But at least that's a valid comparison.

The New York Times

"It's not really a valid comparison," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A valid comparison of performance outcomes starts with random assignments from the same population of students.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like "The Sopranos" (no, really, there is a valid comparison here), "Malcolm" combines the satisfactions of both the big and small screen.

The New York Times

A valid comparison for Inside Out is 2009's Up, which stood at £13.92m after two weekends of play, on its way to a final tally of £34.6m.

The Guardian - Film

How do you respond to the assertion that ACT's Estimated Relationship Table is not a valid comparison of SAT scores?

The New York Times

Avengers Assemble kicked off with £15.78m back in April 2012, but that included £2.55m in previews, so needs to be adjusted down to £13.23m to make a valid comparison.

The Guardian - Film

At first blush it seems like a valid comparison.

TechCrunch

Therefore, this system is need to make a valid comparison between the algorithms employed.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

Thus, it was still possible to perform a valid comparison using samples from adjacent surfaces.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a valid comparison", ensure that the items being compared share enough common attributes to make the comparison meaningful and relevant. Avoid comparing apples to oranges.

Common error

A common error is assuming that because "a valid comparison" can be made, a causal relationship exists. Always remember that correlation does not equal causation, and further analysis is needed to establish causality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid comparison" functions as a noun phrase, where "valid" modifies the noun "comparison". It indicates that the comparison being made is sound, logical, and justifiable. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, marking it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid comparison" is a commonly used phrase to describe a comparison that is logically sound and justified. As Ludwig AI indicates, its use is correct and widespread across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal writing. To ensure accuracy and relevance in your writing, verify that the items being compared share meaningful similarities and that the comparison avoids logical fallacies. Consider using alternatives like "a sound comparison" or "an appropriate comparison" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate comparison

Replaces "valid" with "legitimate", suggesting a comparison that is lawful or justifiable.

a sound comparison

Substitutes "valid" with "sound", indicating a comparison that is reasonable and well-founded.

an appropriate comparison

Replaces "valid" with "appropriate", suggesting a comparison that is suitable or fitting for the context.

a reasonable comparison

Changes "valid" to "reasonable", indicating that the comparison is logical and sensible.

a justifiable comparison

Uses "justifiable" instead of "valid", implying the comparison can be defended or shown to be right.

a well-founded comparison

Replaces "valid" with "well-founded", suggesting that the comparison is based on solid evidence or reasoning.

a fair comparison

Changes "valid" to "fair", suggesting the comparison is impartial and just.

a good comparison

Uses "good" instead of "valid", offering a more general affirmation of the comparison's quality.

a relevant comparison

Substitutes "valid" with "relevant", indicating the comparison is pertinent to the matter at hand.

an accurate comparison

Replaces "valid" with "accurate", suggesting the comparison is precise and correct.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valid comparison" to introduce an analogy or parallel that helps explain or support a point. For example, "Drawing "a valid comparison" between the two economic models reveals their fundamental differences".

What's the difference between "a valid comparison" and "a useful comparison"?

"A valid comparison" implies the comparison is logically sound and justified, while "a useful comparison" suggests the comparison provides helpful insights or understanding. While they can overlap, "a valid comparison" is more about the correctness of the comparison itself, and a useful comparison focuses on the benefits gained from it.

What can I say instead of "a valid comparison"?

You can use alternatives like "a sound comparison", "a legitimate comparison", or "an appropriate comparison" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is a comparison not considered "a valid comparison"?

A comparison is not considered "a valid comparison" when the items being compared lack meaningful similarities, when the data used is biased or incomplete, or when the comparison leads to misleading conclusions. Ensuring fairness and accuracy is key to making "a valid comparison".