compared to that

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared to that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is different from another thing. For example, "I only got three hours of sleep last night - compared to that, eight hours is a luxury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Pop music can be compared to that.

The New York Times - Arts

This place is heaven compared to that.

The New York Times

We are a small country compared to that.

Cornell University

All we're asking for is dust compared to that.

The New Yorker

A wall is a tiny little peanut compared to that.

The Guardian

What we do now is nothing compared to that.

The Guardian

The rest of things are small compared to that.

The New York Times - Sports

Sex just didn't seem terribly important compared to that.

The New Yorker

The Senate report is small potatoes compared to that.

The Washington Post

Every Republican candidate looks like Little League compared to that.

Huffington Post

All these other economic issues are minor compared to that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compared to that" to effectively highlight differences or similarities between two distinct subjects. Ensure the reference point ("that") is clearly established in the preceding context.

Common error

Avoid using "compared to that" when the comparison is unclear or lacks a defined reference. Ensure the 'that' refers to a specific, previously mentioned element, not a vague idea. For example, instead of saying "The new policy is lenient compared to that", specify what exactly the new policy is being compared to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to that" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a comparison. It sets up a relationship between two elements, indicating how one measures up against the other. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compared to that" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to draw comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, the phrase effectively highlights differences or similarities by establishing a clear reference point. While alternatives like "in comparison to that" exist, "compared to that" remains a concise and reliable choice for most situations. Remember to ensure that "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned element to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with that

Uses "compared with" instead of "compared to", which is often considered interchangeable but can subtly alter the emphasis.

in comparison with that

Replaces "compared to" with "in comparison with", providing a slightly more formal tone.

by comparison to that

Similar to "in comparison with that", but with a slightly different word order.

in contrast to that

Focuses on the differences between two things, creating a stronger sense of divergence.

relative to that

Emphasizes the relationship or proportion of one thing to another.

by way of comparison to that

A more verbose way of saying "in comparison to that", often used for emphasis.

as opposed to that

Highlights a direct contrast between two things, adding a sense of opposition.

when held up against that

Implies a direct evaluation or scrutiny of one thing against another.

juxtaposed with that

Highlights the act of placing two things side by side to emphasize their differences or similarities.

considering that

Focuses on a particular fact or situation when making a judgement or comparison

FAQs

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

Use "compared to that" to draw a comparison between something you're currently discussing and something previously mentioned. For example: "The workload is manageable now. "Compared to that", last month was chaotic."

What is the difference between "compared to that" and "in comparison to that"?

While both phrases are similar, "compared to that" is generally more concise and common in everyday speech. "In comparison to that" is slightly more formal but serves the same purpose of drawing a comparison. They are largely interchangeable.

What phrases can I use instead of "compared to that"?

Alternatives to "compared to that" include "in comparison with that", "relative to that", or "in contrast to that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "compared with that" instead of "compared to that"?

Yes, "compared with that" is also correct and often interchangeable with "compared to that". The choice between "to" and "with" often depends on personal preference or stylistic guidelines, but the meaning remains largely the same.