an odd comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an odd comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a comparison that seems unusual or unexpected in a particular context. Example: "The author made an odd comparison between the weather and a broken clock, leaving readers puzzled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

As I said, an odd comparison.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let's consider what may at first seem like an odd comparison between two small, troubled economies.

The New York Times - Magazine

He maintained that they were, in an odd comparison, "a scoop of Watergate proportions".

The New York Times - Books

Ian Jones has an odd comparison: "Don't you think that Xavier Doherty has a bit of Maria Sharapova about him.

The Guardian - Sport

It may seem an odd comparison in a show all about football, but it's a reminder, like this feelgood musical itself, that the barriers we erect between sport and theatre are rapidly crumbling.

The Guardian

It seemed an odd comparison to make, since Lev's isolation is explicitly geographic and cultural, driven by economic desperation, while Hamlet's is composed of existential anguish about family, love and death.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Moeen still regards himself primarily as a batsman, a left-hander stylish enough to have earned the odd comparison to David Gower.

The Guardian - Sport

The odd comparison gets to the essence of Hesse's best work, which derives from its intimacy, directness and immediacy.

The New York Times - Arts

A zero correlation implies that even and odd comparisons are perfectly balanced.

Business Research

Kevin Baker's review of "Enemies," Tim Weiner's history of the F.B.I.'s political surveillance (April 1), begins with an odd and misleading comparison between President Obama and those presidents who authorized J. Edgar Hoover's black-bag jobs and warrantless eavesdropping.

The New York Times - Books

Odds comparison site easyodds.com shows Sri Lanka are slight favourites at best odds of 10/11.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an odd comparison" to signal to your reader that you are about to draw a parallel that might seem unusual or unexpected at first glance. This can create intrigue and encourage deeper engagement with your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "an odd comparison" when the comparison is simply novel or creative, but not genuinely strange or inappropriate. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem unnecessarily dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an odd comparison" functions as a noun phrase, where "odd" modifies the noun "comparison". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It typically introduces a contrast or surprising element in discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an odd comparison" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce an unexpected parallel, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media contexts to signal potentially surprising connections. While maintaining a neutral register suitable for analytical discourse, it encourages audience engagement by highlighting unconventional relationships. For alternative expressions, consider "a strange parallel" or "an incongruous comparison". When deploying this phrase, ensure the comparison is genuinely unusual, not merely novel, to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incongruous comparison

Replaces "odd" with "incongruous", offering a more formal way to describe the mismatch in the comparison.

a strange parallel

Replaces "comparison" with "parallel", emphasizing the unexpected nature of the similarity.

an unusual analogy

Substitutes "comparison" with "analogy", highlighting the unexpected or unconventional nature of the comparison.

a mismatched analogy

Highlights the inappropriate nature of the comparison by using "mismatched" instead of "odd".

a peculiar juxtaposition

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal term indicating a strange or unexpected placement side by side.

a jarring comparison

Implies the comparison is unsettling or out of place, creating a sense of unease.

a curious correlation

Changes "comparison" to "correlation", suggesting the unexpected relationship between two things.

a surprising connection

Replaces "comparison" with "connection", emphasizing the unexpected link between two elements.

an unexpected link

Replaces "comparison" with "link", suggesting the connection wasn't anticipated.

a tenuous analogy

Indicates that the basis for the comparison is weak or unconvincing.

FAQs

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

You can use "an odd comparison" to introduce a surprising or unexpected parallel between two things. For example, "The critic drew "an odd comparison" between the film's protagonist and a garden gnome, highlighting their shared stoicism".

What's a more formal way to say "an odd comparison"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "an incongruous comparison" or "a peculiar juxtaposition".

What are some alternatives to "an odd comparison"?

You can use alternatives like "a strange parallel", "an unusual analogy", or "a surprising connection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an odd comparison"?

Use "an odd comparison" when you want to signal that the comparison you're making might seem strange or unexpected to the reader. It suggests a connection that isn't immediately obvious.