be comparable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be comparable to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare or contrast two things to show that they are similar in some ways. For example, "The difficulty of the exam was comparable to that of the final project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

("Running Corinthians must be comparable to running a whorehouse.

The New Yorker

Amgen executives said the price of Aranesp would be comparable to that of Epogen and Procrit.

The New York Times

The price will be comparable to that of the printed version of the paper.

The New York Times

It would be comparable to the Tories selecting Bill Cash as their leader".

The Guardian

The price will be comparable to the Ferrari 360, upward of $150,000.

The New York Times

Rates will be comparable to high-end boutique and luxury hotels in a particular market.

The New York Times - Travel

Spending will be comparable to Club Med's most recent fiscal year advertising budget, approximately $12 million.

The New York Times

It would be comparable to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington.

The New York Times

Coverage would be comparable to that provided to federal and state employees.

The New York Times

The toll in lives and property damage could be comparable to what was experienced last week.

The New York Times

I can't think of any books right now that would be comparable to The Exorcist".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be comparable to", ensure that the basis of comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the aspects in which the items are similar, such as price, size, or quality.

Common error

Avoid comparing items that have no logical basis for comparison. Ensure that the items being compared share some relevant characteristics to make the comparison meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be comparable to" functions as a relational expression, used to draw comparisons between two or more entities. Ludwig's examples show it describing similarities in price, quality, impact, or other measurable attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be comparable to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate similarity or equivalence between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. It's particularly common in news, scientific, and business writing. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and logical to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "be similar to" and "be equivalent to" exist, "be comparable to" offers a balanced tone suitable for many situations. This summary is based on the examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be similar to

Focuses on the likeness between two things without necessarily implying direct comparison.

be analogous to

Highlights a parallel or correspondence, often used to explain something complex by relating it to something familiar.

be equivalent to

Suggests that two things have the same value, function, or meaning.

be on par with

Implies that something is equal in quality or standard to something else.

be akin to

Indicates a similarity or relatedness, often suggesting a shared nature or characteristic.

resemble

Highlights the similarity in appearance or nature between two things.

approximate

Suggests a close but not exact similarity, often in numerical or measurable terms.

bear comparison with

Indicates that two things can be compared, though not necessarily identical.

measure up to

Implies that something meets a certain standard or expectation, making it comparable to something else.

align with

Suggests a similarity in purpose, method, or effect.

FAQs

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

Use "be comparable to" to indicate similarity between two things. For example, "The new model's features are comparable to the previous version."

What can I say instead of "be comparable to"?

You can use alternatives like "be similar to", "be analogous to", or "be equivalent to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be comparable to" or "be comparable with"?

"Be comparable to" is the more common and widely accepted form. While "be comparable with" isn't strictly incorrect, "be comparable to" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "be comparable to" and "be relative to"?

"Be comparable to" implies a degree of similarity or equivalence, while "be relative to" indicates that something is being considered in relation to something else, often influenced by or dependent on it.