compare apples and

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compare apples and" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is highlighting the futility of comparing two dissimilar things or situations. Example: "It's not fair to compare apples and oranges when discussing the two different marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But it is disingenuous to compare apples and oranges.

The Guardian

It is easy to compare apples and oranges without knowing it.

The New York Times - Books

Raugei, M. Net energy analysis must not compare apples and oranges.

Nature

Rather, the idea is for the decision matrix to allow you to compare apples and oranges.

Columbia University

Even at that income level, the Gore campaign had to compare apples and oranges to make the math work.

The New York Times

And they found that when you compare apples and apples the income bonus from selective schools disappears.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's like comparing apples and oranges".

The New York Times

It's like comparing apples and bananas.

MIT Technology Review

It's comparing apples and pears, baseballs and footballs.

The New York Times - Sports

It's kind of like comparing apples and oranges".

The New York Times

Yes, it is like comparing apples and oranges.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "compare apples and" oranges when you want to emphasize that two things are so different that comparing them is misleading or unproductive. It's best used when pointing out a logical fallacy or flawed reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "compare apples and" oranges when simply noting differences between two items. The phrase is specifically for highlighting inappropriate comparisons, not for general differentiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compare apples and" oranges serves as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig's examples confirm it is primarily used to indicate that a comparison is invalid due to the fundamental differences between the items being compared.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "compare apples and" oranges is a commonly used phrase to point out the fallacy of making comparisons between fundamentally different things. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and serves to steer discussions away from irrelevant or invalid comparisons. While primarily found in news, media, and scientific contexts, its use extends to everyday conversation. When employing this idiom, ensure that the items being compared are indeed so different that the comparison is misleading, reinforcing the phrase's intended effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mix apples and oranges

A slight variation that maintains the core meaning of inappropriate comparison.

compare dissimilar things

Focuses on the act of comparing things that are not alike without using the idiomatic expression.

contrast unlike items

Emphasizes the differences between items instead of a direct comparison.

draw parallels between distinct entities

Highlights an attempt to find similarities where clear differences exist.

equate disparate concepts

Points out the error in treating different ideas as if they were the same.

confuse distinct categories

Suggests that items from different classes are being mixed up.

blur the lines between different things

Emphasizes that the boundaries between two separate items are being obscured

muddle different matters

Indicates a lack of clarity when comparing things that should remain separate.

liken incomparable objects

Highlights the act of comparing objects that should not be compared.

juxtapose unrelated matters

Suggests the side-by-side placement of items that don't naturally belong together.

FAQs

What does it mean to "compare apples and" oranges?

To "compare apples and" oranges means to make a comparison between two things that are so dissimilar that the comparison is invalid or misleading.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "compare apples and"?

Use "compare apples and" when you want to point out a flawed comparison because the items being compared are fundamentally different. It's often used to highlight a logical error in someone's reasoning.

What are some alternative ways to say "compare apples and" oranges?

You can use alternatives like "compare dissimilar things", "contrast unlike items", or "equate disparate concepts" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever correct to "compare apples and" oranges?

While the idiom suggests it's generally incorrect, you might "compare apples and" oranges to illustrate a broader point about the futility of certain types of comparisons, or to spark a discussion about the qualities that make them different.