be analogous to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be analogous to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more things, showing that they have some similar traits or qualities. For example: "The way she talked to her boss was analogous to a child speaking in a temper tantrum."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such structures also would be analogous to isomers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The logic is also unlikely to be analogous to the truth.

The New Yorker

"I wanted it to be analogous to other things that have happened to other people".

The New York Times

This is more like The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland, something that might be analogous to mental illness.

The Guardian

This would be analogous to the steps that taken by governments to control intellectual property around nuclear technologies.

The Guardian

Designed to be analogous to how a human brain works, neural networks themselves were first described in the 1930s.

The Guardian - Tech

The second sort of law, he suggested, would be analogous to the individual mandate.

The New York Times

Rather, it may be analogous to bringing a bazooka to a knife fight.

The New York Times

Wouldn't providing men with H.C.G., a hormone from pregnant women, be analogous to giving women estrogen from pregnant horses?

The New York Times

"There are some buildings," Ms. Hewitt pointed out, "that very self-consciously want to operate with few restrictions, to be analogous to condominiums, which have unrestricted subletting.

The New York Times

Often, the answer seems to be analogous to the supreme court justice Potter Stewart's famous definition of pornography: "I know it when I see it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be analogous to" when you want to draw a comparison that highlights a similarity in function, structure, or underlying principle, rather than a superficial resemblance. This helps your audience understand a complex concept by relating it to something familiar.

Common error

Don't use "be analogous to" merely to state a superficial similarity. Ensure that the connection you're drawing goes beyond surface-level resemblance and demonstrates a deeper, functional or structural parallel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be analogous to" functions as a comparative verb phrase. It serves to draw parallels between two distinct entities or concepts, highlighting similarities in their structure, function, or underlying principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to express comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be analogous to" is a versatile phrase used to draw meaningful comparisons between different subjects, highlighting similarities in their structure, function, or underlying principles. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. It is particularly common in scientific and news media sources, used to clarify complex concepts by relating them to something familiar. When using "be analogous to", ensure the comparison is not superficial, but rather based on a deeper, functional parallel. Remember that while similar to phrases like "be similar to" or "be comparable to", it implies a more profound and explanatory connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be comparable to

Emphasizes the act of comparing and finding similarities.

be similar to

Highlights the likeness in nature or quality between two things.

be akin to

Suggests a closer, more inherent relationship or resemblance.

be equivalent to

Indicates that two things are essentially the same in value or function.

correspond to

Implies a direct relationship or matching connection between two things.

resemble

Focuses on the visual or superficial similarities.

parallel

Suggests a side-by-side similarity or development.

be in line with

Indicates agreement or alignment in principle or direction.

be on a par with

Implies equal standing or quality.

be of a kind

States that two things belong to the same category or type.

FAQs

How can I use "be analogous to" in a sentence?

Use "be analogous to" to draw a comparison highlighting similarities in function, structure, or underlying principles. For example: "The function of the heart can "be analogous to" a pump in a machine."

What phrases are similar to "be analogous to"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "be comparable to", "be similar to", or "be akin to", each carrying subtle differences in emphasis and context.

Is it correct to say "is analogous with" instead of "be analogous to"?

While "analogous" can sometimes be followed by "with", ""be analogous to"" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing, particularly in formal writing.

What is the difference between "be analogous to" and "be similar to"?

"Be analogous to" suggests a deeper, more functional or structural similarity, whereas "be similar to" can refer to a more superficial resemblance. Analogies often explain how something works or functions by comparing it to something else.