analogize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "analogize" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to form an analogy between two different things. For example, you can analogize a person's life situation to the game of chess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Twenty years ago, I heard an angel's voice, which I can only analogize to Charlton Heston in 'The Ten Commandments,' and it said to me, 'There is no such thing as a dead case!' And since then I've believed that if you look hard enough at any fact pattern, you begin to see reasonable doubt".

The New Yorker

Yudkowsky said, "I remember all my conversations with Peter as very pleasant, far-ranging experiences that I would be more tempted to analogize to a real-world I.Q.

The New Yorker

"We're somewhat like a traveling circus," said Mazza, who also likes to analogize his staff to an army.

The New York Times - Sports

"I sometimes analogize a city to a string of pearls," he said.

The New York Times

The imagery may have been unfortunate, but Mr. Fehrnstrom's impulse to analogize is understandable.

The New York Times

You could say that this subjects potentially high-minded cultural visionaries to the coarse commercialism of "Shear Genius," or you could more generously analogize the project to traditions of the ancien régime.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Their political support no longer depends on analogizing them to private insurance.

The Economist

"Not even the stupidest American liberal shares the morality of the totalitarian monsters whom Beck analogizes to American politics so flippantly," Continetti wrote.

The New Yorker

"We really analogized book search to Web search, and we rely on fair use every day on Web search," David C. Drummond, a senior vice-president at Google who is overseeing the response to the lawsuits, told me.

The New Yorker

Cruz was obviously analogizing Bernie Sanders to the Bolsheviks and Hillary Clinton to the Mensheviks.

The New Yorker

Entanglement I like, spooky action at a distance analogizing some little thing including this long glance across the escalators or how you know the song before you switch the station on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "analogize" when you want to explicitly draw a comparison between two distinct concepts or situations to clarify understanding or highlight underlying similarities.

Common error

Avoid using "analogize" in informal contexts where simpler words like "compare" or "liken" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "analogize" is as a verb. It is used to describe the action of making an analogy or comparison between two things. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, affirming its function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "analogize" functions as a verb used to draw comparisons between different concepts to aid in understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts, yet can be replaced by simpler terms like "compare" or "liken" in more informal settings. Examples from Ludwig indicate its prevalence in news media and scientific discussions. While grammatically correct, "analogize" should be used judiciously to avoid overly formal language, ensuring clarity and accessibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw an analogy

This is a more common and straightforward way to express the act of making a comparison.

draw a parallel

Focuses on similarities that run side by side.

make a comparison

A general term for pointing out similarities or differences.

see resemblance

Highlights the recognition of similarities.

liken to

Implies showing something is similar in nature or quality.

find similarities

Focuses on the act of discovering resemblances.

compare with

This highlights both similarities and differences.

correspond to

Indicates a direct relationship or similarity.

equate to

Suggests that two things are equal or equivalent in some way.

relate to

A more general term for finding a connection or association.

FAQs

How can I use "analogize" in a sentence?

You can use "analogize" to show that you are drawing a comparison between two things. For example, "Some people "analogize" the human brain to a computer."

What does it mean to "analogize" something?

To "analogize" something means to point out the similarities between two different things to make a comparison or explain something better.

What can I say instead of "analogize"?

Alternatives to "analogize" include "compare", "liken", "equate", or "draw a parallel", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "analogize" in formal writing?

Yes, "analogize" is suitable for formal writing when you want to explicitly draw a detailed comparison or analogy. However, consider whether a simpler term like "compare" might be more appropriate for your audience.