compared to others

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared to others" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to make a comparison between one person or thing and a group or all the other people or things. For example: "My results in the exam were average compared to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Their participation was nothing compared to others".

The New York Times

How were they faring compared to others?

The Guardian

"But it was nothing compared to others.

The New York Times

Compared to others, he can seem uniquely un-jaded.

The New Yorker

"Compared to others, I was tortured less," he said.

The New York Times

Despite the hardship I was doing OK compared to others.

The Guardian

Their performance has been robust compared to others.

The Guardian - Business

Compared to others your age, do you tire easily?

Cornell University

Being compared to others can increase bad behavior.

Harvard Business Review

Spacious, compared to others, and more or less safe.

The New York Times

And if you've had a long career, like me, you're constantly being compared to others.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compared to others", ensure that the groups being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if you're comparing individuals within a team, companies within an industry, etc.

Common error

Avoid using "compared to others" when the comparison is based on subjective criteria without providing objective evidence. Subjective comparisons can be misleading and weaken your argument. Instead, offer data or specific examples to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to others" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, introducing a comparative element. It indicates that a subject's qualities, performance, or status are being evaluated in relation to those of a group or other individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compared to others" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce a comparative perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various registers, making it suitable for formal, neutral, and even informal contexts. While offering a valuable means to contextualize information and assess relative standing, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring clarity in the comparison and avoiding subjective judgments without supporting evidence. Remember to be specific and use direct language, as in the best practices. Consider alternatives such as "relative to others" or "in comparison with others" for variety and to tailor the tone to your specific writing needs. Ludwig examples highlight the common usage of this construction in sources spanning from news and media to academic research.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relative to others

This alternative emphasizes the relative position or state in comparison.

by comparison to others

A more formal way to introduce a comparative statement.

in comparison with others

This phrase provides a more formal and explicit comparison.

when contrasted with others

This suggests a sharper, more defined comparison, highlighting differences.

in relation to others

This focuses on how something stands in connection or dependency.

as opposed to others

This alternative highlights a contrast or opposition.

versus others

A concise way to indicate a comparison, often used in statistical contexts.

against others

Implies a competitive comparison or contrast.

alongside others

Suggests a simultaneous comparison or consideration.

in light of others

This presents a comparison that illuminates understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "compared to others" to show how one thing measures up against a group. For example, "Her performance was strong "compared to others" in the team".

What's a formal alternative to "compared to others"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "in comparison with others" or "relative to others" instead of "compared to others". Both options offer a similar meaning while maintaining a more professional tone.

Which is correct, "compared to others" or "compared with others"?

Both "compared to others" and "compared with others" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "compared to" is more common when emphasizing differences, and "compared with" is often used for similarities or general comparison.

How does using "compared to others" impact the perception of feedback?

Using "compared to others" in feedback can create either motivation or demotivation, depending on the individual's performance relative to their peers. Frame feedback constructively, focusing on improvement rather than direct comparison, to avoid negative impacts. Instead of using "compared to others" use alternatives like "relative to their previous performance".