are compared against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are compared against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the evaluation or assessment of one thing in relation to another, often in research or analytical contexts. Example: "The results of the experiment are compared against the control group to determine the effectiveness of the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clear, measurable standards for quality are set and products are compared against these.

The Guardian

Rather, each captain's head-to-head results are compared against all others in a matrix.

The Economist

Experimental measurements are compared against model predictions.

Applied Thermal Engineering

The data collected are compared against the literature.

Urban Rail Transit

Both Γ2 and Γ4 are compared against two different thresholds.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Then, model results are compared against each other.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Finally, those pairs are compared against the pWCMC curve.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Then, the estimation results are compared against the average error.

Robotics and Biomimetics

On the main diagonal points are compared against themselves.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

Results from these simulations are compared against experimental data.

Chemical Engineering Science

The calculated rates are compared against earlier calculations.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are compared against", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined and that the basis for comparison is explicit. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "are compared against" when a simpler construction like "are compared to" suffices. While both are grammatically correct, the latter often provides a more concise and direct way to express the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are compared against" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is being evaluated or assessed in relation to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in contexts where a clear comparison is being made. This phrase highlights the process of contrasting or benchmarking to determine similarities or differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

89%

News & Media

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are compared against" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote the act of evaluating or assessing something by contrasting it with another entity, often in the context of scientific research or news reporting. While alternatives like "are assessed against" or "are evaluated against" exist, "are compared against" effectively conveys the intended meaning. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the items being compared and the basis for comparison to prevent ambiguity. Although "are compared to" may be more concise in certain contexts, "are compared against" remains a valid and widely accepted option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are assessed against

This alternative replaces "compared" with "assessed", focusing on the evaluation aspect.

are evaluated against

Using "evaluated" emphasizes a more formal and thorough assessment.

are measured against

Substituting "compared" with "measured" highlights the use of specific criteria for evaluation.

are benchmarked against

Replacing "compared" with "benchmarked" implies a standardized comparison to a known standard or best practice.

are contrasted against

Using "contrasted" stresses the identification of differences rather than similarities.

are analyzed against

Replacing "compared" with "analyzed" emphasizes a detailed examination of the data.

are checked against

Using "checked" implies a verification process against a set standard or data.

are tested against

Substituting "compared" with "tested" highlights the process of subjecting something to a trial.

are examined against

Using "examined" suggests a careful and detailed inspection.

are weighed against

Substituting "compared" with "weighed" means to consider something carefully.

FAQs

How can I use "are compared against" in a sentence?

You can use "are compared against" to show how different things are evaluated by considering them in relation to one another. For instance, "The results of the new treatment "are compared against" those of the standard treatment to assess its effectiveness."

What phrases can I use instead of "are compared against"?

Alternatives include "are assessed against", "are evaluated against", or "are measured against", which all convey a similar meaning of evaluation or assessment.

Is it better to say "are compared against" or "are compared to"?

Both "are compared against" and "are compared to" are grammatically correct, but "are compared to" is often preferred for its conciseness. "Are compared against" can imply a more rigorous or systematic evaluation.

What does "are compared against" mean in the context of research?

In research, "are compared against" typically means that data, results, or findings are evaluated in relation to a standard, control group, or existing literature to determine their significance or validity.