compared to that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'compared to that of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things. For example, "The teacher's expectations for this student are much higher compared to that of the other students in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Romney's religious dilemma is often compared to that of Kennedy.

The Guardian - Opinion

His poetry has been compared to that of Arthur Rimbaud.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His game has been compared to that of Scottie Pippen and George Gervin.

The New York Times - Sports

His speed and shiftiness have been compared to that of Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James.

The New York Times - Sports

What does he make of the prevailing attitude compared to that of his generation?

The Guardian - Books

Their relationship has been compared to that of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His work can also be compared to that of current realist painters, in particular Lucian Freud.

The New York Times - Arts

In Britain, my work is almost exclusively compared to that of Roy Williams.

The Guardian

Donald Trump's movement has often been compared to that of a rightwing European party.

The Guardian - Opinion

7 Whose longevity was compared to that of Solomon at his funeral service?

The Guardian

However, my fondness for bookmarks is mere fair-weather stuff compared to that of some people.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compared to that of", ensure that you are comparing similar types of things. For example, compare the size of one city to that of another city, not to the population of another city.

Common error

Be mindful of unnecessary repetition. While "compared to that of" is grammatically sound, sometimes a simpler "compared to" works just as well and sounds less cumbersome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared to that of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a comparison. It specifies the basis on which two elements are being contrasted, focusing on a particular attribute or characteristic. Ludwig examples demonstrate this use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compared to that of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to draw specific comparisons. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for formal contexts where precision is key. While "compared to that of" is very common, it is important to use this construction carefully to avoid redundancy and ensure clarity. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, validating its proper use in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with

A simplified version of the original phrase, omitting 'that of'.

in comparison to

This phrase is a more concise way to express a comparison, omitting the redundancy of "that of".

relative to

This indicates a comparison by showing how one thing relates to another.

in relation to

Similar to 'relative to', this phrase denotes a comparative relationship.

versus

A direct and concise way to indicate a contrastive comparison.

as opposed to

Highlights the differences between two options or things.

in contrast to

Similar to 'by contrast with', this highlights differences.

by contrast with

Emphasizes the differences when making a comparison.

when weighed against

Suggests a careful evaluation of two things to determine their relative importance or value.

if juxtaposed with

Indicates a comparison made by placing two things side by side.

FAQs

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

You can use "compared to that of" to compare a specific attribute of one thing to the same attribute of another. For example, "The efficiency of this engine is significantly higher "compared to that of" older models."

What's the difference between "compared to" and "compared to that of"?

"Compared to" is generally used when making a broad comparison. "Compared to that of" is used when you want to compare a specific attribute of two different subjects. For example, "The climate here is mild compared to the harsh winters up north" versus "The average rainfall here is greater "compared to that of" the southern region".

Are there alternatives to "compared to that of" that sound less formal?

Yes, you can use phrases like "in comparison to", "relative to", or simply "compared with" for a less formal tone.

When should I use "compared to that of" over other comparison phrases?

Use "compared to that of" when you need to make a clear and specific comparison between similar aspects of two different subjects, especially in formal writing where precision is important.