compared to before

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared to before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare something to its former state. For example, "The restaurant's menu has been significantly improved compared to before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Compared to before, they're somewhat more willing to disclose information," he said.

The New York Times

"The road to liberating Palestine is today much shorter compared to before the blessed Syrian revolution," he said.

The Guardian

"It means things get missed more easily compared to before and that jobs don't always get done when they should".

The Guardian

Sun Lin, this pool's lanky lifeguard, says: "Compared to before, fewer people come to just talk".

The New York Times

However, I have only been in Hackney for four years now but all my friends and neighbours say how safe it is now compared to before.

The Guardian

"They've kept very large amounts of additional revenue compared to before the lockout, so at least to that extent they're in much better shape.

The New York Times - Sports

Fig. 1 The relative amount of food consumption during 24 h compared to before the injection.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Total nitrogen and organic carbon became significantly lower after treatment compared to before treatment.

Environmental Systems Research

After 3 months TPM treatment, it decreased further compared to before treatment (P < 0.05).

International Journal of Psychophysiology

The areas were larger if fluorescein was applied after piercing compared to before piercing.

Journal of Controlled Release

There was also a significant decrease in the duration of headaches (p < 0.001) during pregnancy compared to before.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compared to before" to clearly indicate a change or difference over time. Ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what "before" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "compared to before" when the 'before' state is unclear or undefined. Always ensure that the previous state is explicitly or implicitly understood to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to before" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a comparison. It indicates a difference or change relative to a previous condition or time. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compared to before" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a comparison to a previous state. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across varied contexts. The phrase is most common in scientific and news-related content, indicating its versatility. When using "compared to before", ensure clarity by defining the "before" state to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "in contrast to previously" or "relative to its previous condition" can offer a more formal tone. While versatile, clarity and context are key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in comparison to its former self

Replaces "before" with "its former self" to highlight a change in identity or state.

in contrast to previously

Replaces "compared to" with "in contrast to" and "before" with "previously", focusing on a distinction from an earlier state.

as opposed to its earlier state

Uses "as opposed to" instead of "compared to" and specifies "its earlier state" for clarity.

relative to its previous condition

Substitutes "compared to" with "relative to" and "before" with "previous condition", providing a more formal tone.

differing from the past

Emphasizes the difference from a time in the past, simplifying the original phrase.

assessed against its prior status

Focuses on the evaluation aspect, replacing "compared to" with "assessed against" and "before" with "prior status".

unlike what it used to be

Offers a more informal way to express the difference from a prior state.

judged against its earlier form

Highlights the act of judging, using "judged against" in place of "compared to" and "earlier form" for "before".

in relation to what preceded it

Uses more formal language to indicate comparison with what came before.

measured against its initial state

Emphasizes measurement as the method of comparison, substituting "compared to" with "measured against" and "before" with "initial state".

FAQs

How can I use "compared to before" in a sentence?

You can use "compared to before" to show a difference or change over time. For example, "The safety of the neighborhood has improved "compared to before"."

What phrases are similar to "compared to before"?

Similar phrases include "in contrast to previously", "unlike what it used to be", and "in comparison to its former self".

Is it correct to say "compared to before" in formal writing?

Yes, "compared to before" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "relative to its previous condition" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "compared to before" and "compared to after"?

"Compared to before" indicates a change from an earlier state, while "compared to after" would compare a current state to a future or subsequent state, implying a prediction or expectation.