compared to something

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared to something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making comparisons or drawing contrasts between two or more things. For example: "Chocolate cake is much sweeter compared to lemon cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The motors also have fairly low torque compared to something that could be harmful.

Cornell University

It just seemed so natural compared to something like No Country for Old Men.

The Guardian - Film

"On the other hand," he said, "If you have to be compared to something, you might as well be compared to something great".

The New York Times - Arts

What is innovative about this compared to something like the Intel Teraflops Research Chip, Tilera TILE*, or Adapteva Epiphany?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I felt as though the impact of my existence is small, compared to something like the impact of a supernova".

The New York Times

Generally though compared to something like Sony's Heavy Rain – in many ways the natural progression for the genre – Gray Matter feels clunky and dated.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I just don't think it's something that could compare to something that's made to order".

The New York Times - Food

How does it compare to something like Avatar?

TechCrunch

Thinking about how this situation compares to something more extreme gives me perspective.

Huffington Post

One reason is because time spent doing something, especially when compared to owning something or spending money, is associated with personal meaning and evokes emotionally laden memories.

Stanford University

The "X" means improved graphic capabilities compared to the A6 — something needed for the bigger screen.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compared to something" to clearly illustrate differences or similarities between two distinct subjects. This helps provide context and understanding for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "compare with" when "compared to something" is more appropriate for showing similarities. "Compare with" is generally used when explicitly detailing similarities and differences, while "compared to something" is used to assert a likeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to something" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a point of comparison. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its usage across various contexts to draw parallels or contrasts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compared to something" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase, widely used to establish a reference point for understanding or evaluating a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a range of contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, academic texts, and online content underscores its importance in clear and effective communication. When using this phrase, focus on ensuring a clear and logical connection between the compared elements to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in comparison to something

Similar meaning with a slightly different structure.

as compared to something

Offers an alternative, slightly more formal phrasing.

versus something

A more direct and concise way of showing opposition.

as opposed to something

Emphasizes a direct contrast or opposition.

by contrast with something

Highlights the differences, often more emphatically.

in contrast with something

Highlights the differences between two things being compared.

relative to something

Focuses on the proportional relationship or degree.

when weighed against something

Suggests a careful evaluation of merits and demerits.

measured against something

Implies a standard or benchmark for comparison.

juxtaposed with something

Places two things side by side to highlight their differences.

FAQs

How do I use "compared to something" in a sentence?

Use "compared to something" to highlight similarities or differences between two subjects. For example, "The new model is lightweight compared to something older".

What can I say instead of "compared to something"?

You can use alternatives like "as opposed to something", "in contrast with something", or "relative to something" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "compared to something" and "as compared to something"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and used to draw comparisons, "as compared to something" might be considered slightly more formal. They are largely interchangeable in most contexts.

When should I use "compared to something" versus "compared with something"?

"Compared to something" is generally used to point out similarities, while "compared with something" is used to analyze both similarities and differences. For example, "Compared to older models, this one is faster". versus "Compared with its competitors, this phone has better battery life but a worse camera".