cannot be compared to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be compared to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that one thing is so unique or different that it cannot be measured against another. Example: "The beauty of the sunset cannot be compared to anything else in nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Stalin's crimes cannot be compared to Hitler's.

The Guardian - Opinion

It cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world.

The Guardian

This cannot be compared to any principle of taxation.

The New York Times

"The quality of my life cannot be compared to England – I've forgotten what stress is".

The Guardian

The United States, with 140 major airports, cannot be compared to smaller nations.

The New York Times

These are "makeshift camps", he stresses, that cannot be compared to the relative permanence of Zaatari.

The Guardian

"Salaries in India, with a very different cost of living, cannot be compared to Britain.

The Guardian

These bare declarations cannot be compared to the record before the Court in Wickard.

Cornell University

But surely our DNA cannot be compared to the patterns of printer ink on page?

The Guardian - Opinion

"It cannot be compared to any other franchise movie we have ever exhibited here," Abraha said.

The Washington Post

Nevertheless, Saudi society cannot be compared to the dynamic, liberal Israeli society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be compared to" when you want to emphasize the unique qualities of something, distinguishing it from other things that might seem similar on the surface. It's useful for highlighting fundamental differences.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be compared to" when you simply want to say that one thing is better or worse than another. The phrase implies a more profound difference than a simple value judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be compared to" serves as a relational expression, indicating a lack of similarity or equivalence between two subjects. It is used to emphasize the uniqueness or distinctiveness of one subject relative to another, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be compared to" is a versatile expression used to denote significant differences between two subjects, emphasizing that they are fundamentally dissimilar. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While alternatives like "is incomparable to" or "bears no comparison to" exist, "cannot be compared to" remains a common choice for expressing distinctiveness. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subjects truly warrant such a strong distinction, and avoid using it merely to express preference. Overall, understanding the nuances of "cannot be compared to" enables more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is incomparable to

Emphasizes the uniqueness of something, highlighting its superior quality or distinctiveness.

is worlds apart from

Conveys a sense of vast difference or separation between two things.

bears no comparison to

Stresses the lack of similarity between two things, implying they are fundamentally different.

is not on par with

Indicates that something does not meet the standard or level of something else.

cannot be likened to

Suggests that it is inappropriate or misleading to draw a comparison between two things.

is distinct from

Emphasizes the separate and unique nature of something.

is dissimilar to

States that two things are not alike, focusing on their differences.

differs significantly from

Indicates a substantial degree of difference between two things.

stands in contrast to

Highlights the opposing characteristics or qualities of two things.

is not analogous to

Highlights the lack of a direct parallel or similarity between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be compared to" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be compared to" when you want to express that two things are so different that they defy direct comparison. For example, "The experience of war "cannot be compared to" a video game."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be compared to"?

Alternatives include "is incomparable to", "bears no comparison to", or "is dissimilar to". For instance, instead of saying "His talent "cannot be compared to" anyone else's", you could say "His talent is incomparable."

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be compared to" instead of "different from"?

"Cannot be compared to" suggests a more fundamental difference than simply "different from". Use "cannot be compared to" when the differences are so significant that a direct comparison is meaningless. "Different from" is suitable when merely pointing out distinctions. For instance, say "Apples are different from oranges", but "The scale of the universe "cannot be compared to" the size of an atom."

Is "cannot be compared with" an acceptable alternative to "cannot be compared to"?

While "cannot be compared with" is grammatically correct, "cannot be compared to" is more common and generally preferred in modern English. Both convey the same meaning, but "to" is the idiomatic choice.