are not in the same league as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not in the same league as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare two entities, indicating that one is inferior or not comparable to the other in terms of quality, ability, or status. Example: "While both teams are competitive, the champions are not in the same league as the newcomers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He believes Baltacha and Keothavong have potential but are not in the same league as, say, Kim Clijsters.

The Guardian - Sport

Freedom Food birds are not in the same league as free-range or organic (see the Good Broiler Guide), but they are a fraction of the cost.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Anglo dismissed the idea as "totally unacceptable" on the grounds that Xstrata's mines are not in the same league as its own low-cost, long-life assets.

The Economist

Indeed while the scientists Roach encounters on her journey are not in the same league as the strangely sinister Beaufort, they seem – without exception – to have a touch of the Just William about them.

The Guardian

"Canadians are not in the same league as the Italians or Brazilians," said David Giles, a University of Victoria economist, who estimates that Canada's under-the-table economy now approaches 20percentt of gross domestic product.

The New York Times

While the Bavarians are not in the same league as the Concertgebouw in terms of fame or prestige, they are a force to be reckoned with, as Jansons showed at the Proms a couple of years ago.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I'm not in the same league as that.

The Guardian - Sport

I am not in the same league as these girls,'" she said during a recent visit to campus.

Cornell University

But "Capital" is not in the same league as "Margin Call" or "Arbitrage".

The New York Times

But stroke-for-stroke, he's not in the same league as Cilic.

The New York Times

The service staff was not in the same league as the kitchen's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to clearly and directly express a significant difference in quality, status, or ability between two subjects. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the basis for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase when the difference is minor or subjective. It implies a substantial and easily demonstrable disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not in the same league as" functions as a comparative expression. It serves to highlight a significant disparity in quality, ability, or status between two entities. Ludwig AI shows many examples in News & Media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not in the same league as" is a useful and relatively common way to express a notable difference in quality, ability, or status. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing and choose alternative expressions, if a more sophisticated tone is required. Always ensure the comparison is clear and the difference is substantial to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not on par with

Replaces "in the same league as" with "on par with", indicating a difference in equality.

are not in the same class as

Uses "class" instead of "league" to denote a difference in category or quality.

do not measure up to

Emphasizes the failure to reach a certain standard or level.

cannot be compared to

Highlights the significant difference making a comparison inappropriate.

pale in comparison to

Indicates that one thing is much less impressive when compared to another.

are far superior to

Focuses on the higher quality or status of one entity over another.

are worlds apart from

Emphasizes a great distance or difference between two things.

are a cut above

Suggests that one thing is noticeably better than another.

are in a different dimension than

Implies a difference in a qualitative sense.

are light years ahead of

Highlights the advanced nature of one thing compared to another.

FAQs

What does it mean to say that two things "are not in the same league as" each other?

It means that one thing is significantly superior or of a higher caliber than the other. The difference is usually quite noticeable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are not in the same league as"?

Use it when you want to emphasize a clear difference in quality, skill, or status. For example, you might say a professional athlete "is not in the same league as" an amateur.

What are some alternatives to "are not in the same league as"?

Alternatives include "are not on par with", "do not measure up to", or "cannot be compared to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it too informal to use "are not in the same league as" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider using a more sophisticated alternative such as "do not measure up to" or "cannot be compared to" to maintain a professional tone.