by comparing

USAGE SUMMARY

"by comparing" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to introduce a comparison between two or more things. For example, "By comparing the prices of similar items, I was able to find the best deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me start by comparing two procedures.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Productivity is calculated by comparing inputs and outputs.

The Guardian

The author concludes by comparing cheesemaking to prayer.

The New Yorker

Romney answered by comparing himself to President Obama.

The New Yorker

Let me end by comparing two visions of friendship.

The Guardian - Opinion

Courts seek an outcome by comparing two opposing stories.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Let's decompress by comparing tales of woe.

The Economist

We checked this by comparing different ethnic groups.

The Washington Post

By comparing megamarketing with marketing, Exhibit II suggests why.

Harvard Business Review

By comparing women and men with equal experience.

The New York Times

The distinction is neatly pointed by comparing two decisions.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by comparing" to clearly indicate that a comparison is the method being used to reach a conclusion or make a point. For instance, "By comparing the data sets, we identified a significant trend."

Common error

Avoid inconsistent grammatical structures after "by comparing". Ensure that the items being compared are presented in a parallel format. For example, instead of "By comparing the old system to new technology", use "By comparing the old system to the new system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by comparing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the method or process used for making an assessment or reaching a conclusion. It introduces the elements being contrasted or assessed against each other, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by comparing" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a method of evaluation or analysis, typically involving the juxtaposition of two or more elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral tone and frequent occurrence in diverse sources—including news, academic texts, and scientific papers—underscore its broad utility. When using "by comparing", ensure parallel structure in the items being compared to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Alternatives like "through comparison" and "in contrast to" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through comparison

This alternative uses a noun form of "compare" and suggests a process of comparison is being used.

via a comparison of

This alternative introduces a formal tone and emphasizes a structured comparison process.

in contrast to

Focuses on highlighting the differences between items rather than a general comparison.

relative to

Emphasizes the relationship between items in terms of their differences.

assessing in relation to

Highlights the act of evaluating something by considering its connection to something else.

evaluating against

This option indicates a process of judging something based on a specific standard or benchmark.

contrasting with

This choice underlines the act of pointing out differences explicitly.

distinguishing between

Highlights the act of identifying differences between two or more items.

weighing against

Suggests a balanced consideration of the positive and negative aspects in relation to something.

considering alongside

Indicates that something is being examined together with something else to understand their relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "by comparing" in a sentence?

"By comparing" is used to introduce the method of comparison for making a point or drawing a conclusion. For example, "By comparing the two reports, we found several discrepancies".

What are some alternatives to "by comparing"?

Alternatives include "through comparison", "via a comparison of", or "in contrast to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "by comparison" instead of "by comparing"?

While "by comparison" is also correct, it typically introduces a statement that is generally comparative rather than describing the action of comparing. "By comparing" specifies that you are actively making a comparison.

What's the difference between "by comparing" and "in relation to"?

"By comparing" highlights a direct comparison between two or more subjects. "In relation to" emphasizes the connection or relevance of one subject to another, which may not always involve a direct comparison.