by comparison to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by comparison to' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say: "The new car's fuel efficiency is much greater by comparison to the old model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was nothing by comparison to today.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, nothing by comparison to what's coming.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet Washington's menu of options pales by comparison to Moscow's.

The New York Times

They only stand out by comparison to all other states.

The New York Times

Fantastical killer cyborgs and alien water-pseudopods can't suffer by comparison to reality.

The Guardian - Opinion

As if that weren't bad enough, Brown suffers by comparison to Obama.

The Guardian

"By comparison to mites, these spiders are actually quite large," he said.

The Guardian

By comparison to its predecessors, the environmental movement is remarkably peaceful and restrained.

The Guardian

"He's a liberal only by comparison to a Court that doesn't have a liberal wing".

The New Yorker

Fox also benefited by comparison to the high costs of broadcasting the Super Bowl last year.

The New York Times

But the sculptural installation pales by comparison to a thematically related painting hanging nearby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by comparison to", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Performance is better by comparison to last year", specify "This year's sales performance is better by comparison to last year's sales performance."

Common error

Avoid using "by comparison to" when you are merely adding information without intending a direct comparison. For instance, instead of saying "The city is large, by comparison to other towns in the region", consider rephrasing to "The city is large compared to other towns in the region" or "The city is large, especially considering the size of other towns in the region."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by comparison to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a comparison between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by comparison to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons between two or more items, enhancing understanding through relatable contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various writing styles, but ensure the compared elements are clearly defined. While effective in formal and scientific writing, its use should be carefully considered to maintain relevance. Ludwig examples show the phrase's prevalence across news, scientific, and business sectors, marking it as a common and useful element in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with

Focuses directly on the act of comparing two things.

by way of comparison

Introduces a comparison as an example or illustration.

in contrast to

Highlights the differences rather than similarities.

relative to

Indicates a relationship or proportion between two elements.

versus

Presents a direct opposition or contrast.

in relation to

Emphasizes the connection or link between two items.

in proportion to

Highlights a scaling relationship.

juxtaposed with

Places two elements side by side to highlight their differences or similarities.

set against

Similar to juxtaposition, but often implies a more forceful contrast.

alongside

Highlights that two things occur together. Meaning is slightly different.

FAQs

How can I use "by comparison to" in a sentence?

Use "by comparison to" to highlight the differences or similarities between two things. For example, "The cost of living here is low "by comparison to" New York City."

What is a simple alternative to "by comparison to"?

A simpler alternative is "compared with" or "compared to". For instance, instead of saying "The results were better "by comparison to" the previous study", you can say "The results were better compared with the previous study."

Is it better to use "compared to" or "by comparison to"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Compared to" is more concise and frequently used, while "by comparison to" adds a bit more emphasis on the act of comparing. The choice depends on the desired tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "by comparison to" and "in contrast to"?

"By comparison to" is a general term that can highlight both similarities and differences. "In contrast to", however, specifically emphasizes the differences between two things. For example, "By comparison to the older model, this new phone has a better camera" versus "In contrast to the older model, this new phone is much heavier."