compared with before

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared with before" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when making comparisons. For example, "John has improved his running speed compared with before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of his life now compared with before, he said, "There's actually not that much difference.

The Guardian

His current association with Miami, though, is minimal compared with before.

The New York Times - Sports

In practical terms, this means British Columbians take home more money from their paycheck compared with before the tax, and businesses face lower taxes, too.

The Guardian

A shipping source in Al Hudaydah said the flow of ships into Yemen was down 75% compared with before the March intervention.

The Guardian

More people said they were relying on home equity now compared with before the recession, the report finds.

The New York Times

They had, in fact, increased their stores of visceral fat by about 10 percent, compared with before the surgery.

The New York Times

In terms of traffic, where is the industry compared with before Sept. 11? A. We are still not back where we were pre-9/11.

The New York Times

The primary endpoint was REM sleep duration on the first postoperative night compared with before operation.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

All outcomes showed significant change after the intervention compared with before.

American Journal of Infection Control

The simultaneously acquired fluoroscopic and nuclear images showed improved co-registration after calibration as compared with before calibration.

EJNMMI Physics

Finally, there was no significant change in the untreated group compared with before treatment (Fig. 6g h).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compared with before", ensure clarity by specifying what is being compared and the specific timeframe being referenced. For example, "The patient's mobility improved significantly compared with before the surgery."

Common error

Avoid using "compared with before" without clearly defining the context of comparison. Omitting the specific aspect being compared can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "The results are better compared with before", specify what results you are referring to, for example, "The test results are better compared with before the new medication was introduced".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared with before" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to introduce a comparison between a present state and a past state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compared with before" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons between current and past states. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, especially in scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "unlike its prior condition" or "different from the past" exist, the original phrase remains a common and effective choice across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different from the past

This is a straightforward alternative that directly states the difference in comparison to "the past", simplifying the original phrase.

as opposed to previously

This alternative uses "as opposed to" for contrast and "previously" to indicate the past state, changing the structure while maintaining the core comparison.

unlike its prior condition

This version employs "unlike" to show dissimilarity and "prior condition" to denote the previous state, keeping the comparison clear.

in contrast to what was

This phrase employs "in contrast to" to highlight the difference and "what was" to refer to the prior condition, altering the phrasing significantly.

by comparison to its past

This version phrases the comparison by referencing its past, reordering the elements while keeping the core meaning.

relative to its former state

This option uses "relative to" to establish a comparison and specifies "former state" to denote the earlier condition, providing a more formal tone.

assessed against its history

This emphasizes evaluation by using "assessed against" and referring to "its history" as the basis for comparison, changing the focus slightly.

evaluated against prior status

The alternative uses "evaluated against" and "prior status", which introduces a formal tone.

weighing against earlier times

This alternative uses "weighing against", which emphasizes the assessment, while "earlier times" refers to the past.

juxtaposed with what used to be

This phrase presents a side-by-side comparison using "juxtaposed with" and refers to "what used to be" to denote the past, adding a literary flair.

FAQs

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

You can use "compared with before" to show a change from a previous state. For example, "Her grades are higher "compared with before" she started studying regularly."

What are some alternatives to "compared with before"?

Alternatives include "unlike its prior condition", "different from the past", or "as opposed to previously", depending on the context.

Is "compared to before" grammatically correct?

While "compared with before" is widely accepted, "compared to before" is also used. Both are generally considered acceptable, but "compared with before" is often preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "compared with before" and "than before"?

"Compared with before" directly compares a current state to a previous one. "Than before" often implies a degree or extent of change. For example, "He is more confident than before" suggests an increase in confidence, while "His confidence is higher "compared with before"" simply states a difference.