comparable to saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparable to saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to draw a comparison between two ideas or statements, indicating that one is similar to the other. Example: "His explanation was so convoluted that it was comparable to saying that the sky is green."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"This is comparable to saying that an airline is safe because the pilots and mechanics haven't been injured".

The New York Times

But the analogy to synchronized skating seems comparable to saying that playing an instrument in an orchestra is silly and that musicians should play only solo performances.

The New York Times

Mentioning you have an appointment with an analyst, or that your child does, is comparable to saying you have a hair appointment.

The New York Times

Although she came to resent the label — complaining that being called "just" an agony aunt was comparable to saying "she ate potatoes" — Rayner was named medical journalist of the year in 1987 in recognition of her work.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The numbers of people of Asian ancestry coming to America have not been comparable to, say, immigration from Europe.

Princeton University

America does not have a long intellectual history of anti-Europeanism comparable to, say, the anti-American tradition in France.

The Economist

It's easy to assume that Formby was a marginal comedy figure comparable to, say, Peter Glaze on the BBC children's TV show Crackerjack.

The Guardian - Film

Thanks to the separation of church and state, the country has nothing comparable to, say, the Catholic churches of Italy and Spain, or the Church of England.

The Economist

Now, Mr. Lehrer said: "The liberal consensus, which was the audience for this in my day, has splintered and fragmented in such a way that it's hard to find an issue that would be comparable to, say, lynching.

The New York Times - Arts

Moods of grief and depression are almost impossible to make exciting unless a director possesses something comparable to, say, Bergman's theatrical intensity ("Persona") or Antonioni's mastery of psychology and landscape ("L'Avventura").

The New Yorker

In terms of structure and hierarchy, it is less comparable to, say, a religious cult like the Taliban than to the multidimensional American civil-rights movement of the 1960's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparable to saying" when you want to draw a direct comparison between a concept and a statement, highlighting their similarity in implication or effect. This phrase works best when the comparison is somewhat surprising or illustrative.

Common error

Avoid using "comparable to saying" for very straightforward comparisons. Simpler phrases like "similar to" or "like" are often more appropriate when the analogy is obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparable to saying" functions as a prepositional phrase used to draw an analogy or comparison between two different concepts or statements. Ludwig AI validates this usage and provides examples of this pattern in context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comparable to saying" serves as a useful tool for drawing analogies and clarifying complex ideas by comparing them to statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound, although less common than other comparative phrases. It appears primarily in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "analogous to asserting" to better suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

akin to stating

Replaces "comparable" with "akin", implying a similar but perhaps less precise comparison.

equivalent to voicing

Substitutes "comparable" with "equivalent" and "saying" with "voicing", slightly altering the tone to be more descriptive.

similar to expressing

Substitutes "comparable" with "similar" and "saying" with "expressing", slightly altering the tone to be more descriptive.

parallels stating

Uses "parallels" as a verb to indicate similarity, creating a more concise expression.

analogous to asserting

Uses "analogous" instead of "comparable" and "asserting" instead of "saying", making the phrase more formal and emphasizing a parallel.

mirrors the expression of

Emphasizes reflection and similarity in expression, making the comparison more vivid.

tantamount to declaring

Replaces "comparable" with "tantamount", indicating the statements are virtually equal in effect or meaning.

like claiming

Simplifies the phrase using "like" for comparison and "claiming" for "saying", making it more informal.

resembling the act of saying

Alters the structure to emphasize resemblance, adding a layer of complexity and formality.

on par with stating

Uses "on par with" to indicate equality in comparison, lending a more assertive tone.

FAQs

What does "comparable to saying" mean?

The phrase "comparable to saying" means that something is similar in effect or implication to a particular statement. It suggests that the comparison is insightful or illustrative.

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

You can use "comparable to saying" to draw an analogy between a situation and a statement. For example, "Claiming that the problem is solved without addressing the root cause is comparable to saying the house is safe while the foundation is crumbling."

What are some alternatives to "comparable to saying"?

Alternatives include "akin to stating", "similar to expressing", or "analogous to asserting" depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis.

Is "comparable to saying" formal or informal?

"Comparable to saying" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "analogous to asserting" might be preferred in highly formal writing.