an instructive comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an instructive comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a comparison that provides valuable insights or lessons about the subjects being compared. Example: "The study offers an instructive comparison between traditional teaching methods and modern technology-enhanced learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This work makes an instructive comparison with "Helga's Pool #6," from the 1980's.

The New York Times

Perhaps there's an instructive comparison with another business run by big egos in search of talent, Major League Baseball.

The New York Times - Arts

There was, however, quite a nice poster for the Games, with a classical discobolus and Big Ben, which makes an instructive comparison with the flayed-skin ugliness of the 2012 logo.

The Guardian - Arts

There is an instructive comparison to be made between this work and Bellini's portrait of Doge Loredan, also in the National Gallery, and painted a little more than a decade earlier.

Independent

They make an instructive comparison with Last Resort: Pawlikowski, a documentary-maker by trade, plants a sense of actuality in his film by harnessing a range of vérité camera styles - juddering close-ups, video surveillance, hidden shooting positions - that achieves a similar, if considerably more fluid, effect.

The Guardian - Film

For a recent cogent defense of the separateness of the Craftsman from any of his products (in particular the world soul) and an instructive comparison between the Platonic Demiurge and the “Abrahamic” God, see Broadie (2012), 7 26.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

China may be a more instructive comparison.

The Economist

She says that Not That Kind of Girl was originally inspired by Helen Gurley Brown's Having It All, but a more instructive comparison would be with David Sedaris.

The Guardian - Books

"Ermine" has been likened by the novelist John Banville to both "The Tin Drum" and "One Hundred Years of Solitude," although a more instructive comparison might be to the European novels of Vladimir Nabokov.

The New York Times - Books

Given the low numbers experiencing extreme costs in the other two sites, a more instructive comparison is between those who experience costs greater than 200%% of the median (i.e. 'high' or 'extreme' costs), and those who do not.

BMC Health Services Research

Here's an imperfect but instructive comparison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an instructive comparison" when you want to highlight that the act of comparing two or more things provides a valuable lesson or deeper understanding. For clarity, ensure the subjects being compared and the insights gained are clearly articulated.

Common error

Avoid using "an instructive comparison" when the comparison doesn't actually offer any new insights or is merely stating the obvious. Ensure the comparison provides a non-trivial understanding to justify its use.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an instructive comparison" is to serve as a noun phrase, where "instructive" modifies the noun "comparison". Ludwig AI indicates it's used to describe a comparison that provides learning or insight. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in academic, news and media, and other professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an instructive comparison" is a noun phrase used to describe a comparison that offers valuable lessons or insights. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage spans across neutral and professional contexts like news, science, and formal writing. While not very common, when used, it signals that the comparison is more than just a simple observation, it is meant to enlighten and educate. To ensure proper usage, always confirm that your comparison offers a non-trivial understanding and new knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enlightening comparison

Substitutes "instructive" with "enlightening", stressing the illuminating quality of the comparison.

an illuminating comparison

Replaces "instructive" with "illuminating", emphasizing the clarity the comparison brings.

a beneficial comparison

Replaces "instructive" with "beneficial", focusing on the helpful aspect of the comparison.

a valuable comparison

Substitutes "instructive" with "valuable", emphasizing the worth of the comparison.

a useful comparison

Replaces "instructive" with "useful", highlighting the practicality of the comparison.

a helpful comparison

Replaces "instructive" with "helpful", highlighting the supportive nature of the comparison.

a revealing comparison

Substitutes "instructive" with "revealing", focusing on how the comparison uncovers new information.

a telling comparison

Substitutes "instructive" with "telling", emphasizing the significance of the comparison.

a comparison that teaches

Rephrases the sentence to directly express the teaching aspect of the comparison.

a comparison offering insights

Rephrases to highlight the insightful nature of the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "an instructive comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "an instructive comparison" to introduce a comparison that yields valuable insights or lessons. For example, "The study offers "an instructive comparison" between traditional methods and innovative approaches."

What are some alternatives to "an instructive comparison"?

You can use alternatives such as "an enlightening comparison", "a valuable comparison", or "a helpful comparison" depending on the specific context.

What makes a comparison "instructive"?

A comparison is "instructive" when it provides new knowledge, clarifies understanding, or offers a meaningful lesson about the items being compared. It goes beyond a simple listing of similarities and differences.

Is "an instructive comparison" formal or informal language?

"An instructive comparison" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as academic papers, news articles, and professional reports. While not overly informal, it maintains a level of sophistication appropriate for various audiences.