compare between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'compare between' is not correct and is not used in written English.
Instead, the phrase 'compare between' should be replaced with 'compare among' or 'compare between' depending on the context. For example, "We will compare between the two books to determine which one is better."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This broader hypothesis makes it comparable to compare between tests with various grouping strategies.

Plosone

How does it compare between female students and female faculty?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I don't think it's possible to compare between sports," said Collins.

The Guardian - Sport

We have been able to compare between independent producers and in-house production.

The Guardian

Prize money row: how do major sports compare between men and women?

The Guardian - Sport

The College Board has provided concordance tables to compare between the new and old tests.

Princeton University

So we perform a compare between the number of letters remaining unseen and zero.

Cornell University

Costs are hard to compare between the public and private sectors, because the two sectors do their accounting differently.

The Washington Post

Data were evaluated by the Pearson's Chi-Square method with SSPS software (Version 16.0) to compare between groups.

Nature

Collins, a rational person, very likely did not see much to compare between the teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Binder from cores was extracted and recovered to compare between the HMA and WMA.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "compare between" in formal writing; it is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Common error

A common mistake is using "between" when comparing more than two items. "Between" is typically used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more. Using "compare with" or "compare to" eliminates the confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compare between" functions as a prepositional phrase that aims to establish a comparison. However, Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically incorrect. While prevalent, it is advisable to use alternative constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "compare between" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended purpose is clear—to draw parallels or contrasts—but best practice dictates choosing alternatives like "compare with", "compare to", or, when more than two items are involved, "compare among". Although common in speech and writing, particularly in science, news, and academic contexts, substituting it enhances grammatical accuracy and clarity. Opting for grammatically sound alternatives elevates the formality and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compare with

Uses the correct preposition "with" when comparing two or more items.

compare to

Uses the correct preposition "to" when likening one thing to another.

contrast among

Replaces "compare" with "contrast", focusing on differences rather than similarities, and uses the correct preposition "among".

distinguish between

Emphasizes the act of recognizing differences. Uses "between" correctly with two items.

differentiate between

Similar to "distinguish between", highlighting the process of identifying differences.

draw a comparison between

More formal phrasing that emphasizes the act of making a comparison.

make a comparison of

Similar in formality to "draw a comparison", but uses "of" instead.

weigh against each other

Implies a careful consideration of the merits and demerits of each item.

relate to each other

Focuses on the relationship between items, rather than a direct comparison.

analyze comparatively

Highlights a formal analytical approach to assessing similarities and differences.

FAQs

Is "compare between" grammatically correct?

No, "compare between" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use "compare with" or "compare to" when discussing two items, and "compare among" for three or more items.

When should I use "compare with" versus "compare to"?

"Compare with" is used to examine similarities and differences between two or more items. "Compare to" suggests that one thing is similar to another, often used to highlight likenesses. Both are better options than "compare between".

What are some alternatives to "compare between"?

Instead of "compare between", you can use alternatives such as "contrast among", "distinguish between", or "differentiate between", depending on the specific context.

How do I use "compare with" in a sentence?

You can use "compare with" to show similarities and differences. For example, "We will compare this new model with the previous one to see the improvements."