broadly comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broadly comparable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing similarities or equivalences between two or more items, concepts, or situations in a general sense. Example: "The two studies are broadly comparable in their methodologies, allowing for a meaningful analysis of the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Comparative studies of Australia's experience with broadly comparable nations would provide further evidence of the effects of such law reform".

The Guardian

But effective corporate-tax rates are already broadly comparable to other advanced countries.

The New Yorker

They provided medical care "broadly comparable" to the standard in Australia, IHMS said.

The Guardian

The one exception is Colombia, where the figures are broadly comparable.

The New Yorker

The unemployment rate (probably broadly comparable with last year) went down slightly to 8.5%.

The Guardian

Its policy views are broadly comparable to those of the social-democratic parties of Europe.

The New Yorker

Other results were broadly comparable to Mykrobe predictor and the phenotyping methods.

Nature

The results provide a broadly comparable ranking of countries, although a few significant differences do emerge.

Research Policy

(I can't find that written answer, but here is one from a few years ago with broadly comparable figures).

The Guardian

Sainsbury's said on Wednesday that its second-quarter sales had risen around 1.1% on a broadly comparable basis.

The Guardian - Business

This is broadly comparable with the typical £150 a week students pay to rent privately in neighbouring Newham.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broadly comparable", ensure the context clarifies the specific aspects being compared, as it implies general rather than exact similarity.

Common error

Avoid using "broadly comparable" when precise equivalence is required. This phrase indicates general similarity, not exact correspondence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly comparable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It typically modifies nouns to indicate that two or more entities share similar characteristics or qualities, without being exactly the same. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broadly comparable" serves as an adjective phrase indicating a general similarity rather than exact equivalence. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and business, according to Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies the specific aspects being compared. Alternatives include "generally similar" and "largely equivalent", each with slightly different nuances. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase's high frequency and reliable usage across authoritative sources make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally similar

Indicates a likeness in most aspects, though not necessarily identical.

largely equivalent

Suggests near equivalence, with only minor differences.

roughly analogous

Implies a similarity in function or relation, but not necessarily in structure.

more or less the same

An informal way to express approximate equivalence.

comparable to a degree

Highlights that similarity exists but might not be extensive.

akin in certain respects

Focuses on specific similarities while acknowledging other potential differences.

similar in broad strokes

Emphasizes overall similarity while allowing for differences in detail.

relatively similar

Indicates similarity with a qualifier that there may be notable differences.

somewhat alike

Suggests a weaker degree of similarity.

in the same ballpark

An idiomatic expression indicating approximate equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "broadly comparable" in a sentence?

Use "broadly comparable" to suggest that two or more things are similar in general terms, even if they are not identical. For example: "The results from the two experiments were "broadly comparable", suggesting a consistent trend."

What's the difference between "broadly comparable" and "identical"?

"Broadly comparable" indicates a general similarity, while "identical" means exactly the same. Use "broadly comparable" when things share key characteristics but aren't exactly alike. For example: "While the two models are not "identical", their outputs are "broadly comparable"."

What are some alternatives to "broadly comparable"?

Alternatives to "broadly comparable" include "generally similar", "largely equivalent", and "roughly analogous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "broadly comparable to" or "broadly comparable with"?

Both "broadly comparable to" and "broadly comparable with" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "broadly comparable to" is slightly more common. For example, "The new system is "broadly comparable to" the old one" or "The new system is "broadly comparable with" the old one".