compare to

USAGE SUMMARY

"compare to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making an analogy between two or more things. For example, "Her wisdom and humility compare to a wise old sage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nothing could compare to this.

The New Yorker

Compare to Fig. 8a.

Nature

How did it compare to Libya?

The New York Times

Compare to emphasises similarity; compare with dissimilarity.

The Economist

How does that compare to other factors?

The New York Times

"But nothing will compare to this.

The New York Times - Sports

How does this compare to other countries?

The New York Times

How does the heartache compare to 2011?

Independent

And how do they compare to mothers?

The New York Times

SSG: How did Oxford compare to Edinburgh?

Independent

How does this compare to similar companies?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compare to" when you want to highlight similarities between two things. If you want to emphasize both similarities and differences, consider using "compared with".

Common error

Avoid using "compare to" when you intend to discuss differences. Use "compared with" or "in contrast to" to highlight dissimilarities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compare to" is to serve as a prepositional phrase, indicating a comparison or analogy between two or more entities. This phrase is used to draw parallels, highlight similarities, or establish a connection between different subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science & Research

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compare to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to highlight similarities between different entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific Research. While it primarily serves to draw parallels, it's important to differentiate it from "compared with", which is used to analyze both similarities and differences. To enhance clarity and precision in writing, remember to use "compare to" when emphasizing resemblances and consider alternatives like "similar to" or "in comparison to" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to

A more general term indicating resemblance.

in comparison to

Slightly more formal and often used in analytical contexts.

compared with

Emphasizes examining differences alongside similarities.

in contrast to

Highlights the differences rather than the similarities.

analogous to

Suggests a more abstract or structural similarity.

akin to

Implies a close resemblance or affinity.

resembles

Focuses on visual or superficial similarities.

on a par with

Indicates equality in status or quality.

matches

Implies an exact correspondence or agreement.

bears comparison to

Suggests that something is worthy of being compared to something else.

FAQs

How is "compare to" different from "compared with"?

"Compare to" is generally used to suggest a resemblance or similarity, while "compared with" is used to analyze both similarities and differences. See also "compared with".

When should I use "compare to" in a sentence?

Use "compare to" when you want to draw an analogy or highlight the similarities between two distinct things. For example, "The poet compares his love to a summer's day."

What are some alternatives to "compare to"?

Alternatives include "similar to", "akin to", "analogous to", and "in comparison to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "compare to" in formal writing?

Yes, "compare to" is acceptable in formal writing when used correctly to highlight similarities. However, for detailed analytical comparisons, "compared with" may be more appropriate.