compared with last year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'compared with last year' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe how something has changed over time, either positively or negatively. For example, "Sales are up 10% compared with last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So hiring fell by 14percentt compared with last year.

The New York Times

Compared with last year, the country could get off easy.

The New York Times

Gun arrests are also up 5% compared with last year.

The Guardian

This is a three-point drop compared with last year.

The Guardian

Online donations were up 21percentt compared with last year.

The New York Times

Compared with last year, the market is quite different.

The New York Times

However, compared with last year, that is a big tick.

The Guardian - Business

Fireworks sales fell 37% compared with last year.

The Guardian

"This year's event drew double the number of prospective students compared with last year.

Harvard University

Yet government business is up 23percentt in the last six months, compared with last year.

The New York Times

"Business circumstances this year compared with last year are totally different," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compared with last year", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared. For instance, specify if it's sales figures, revenue, or any other quantifiable metric.

Common error

Avoid using "compared with last year" without providing clear context. Always specify what is being compared to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Sales are up compared with last year", specify "Sales revenue is up 15% compared with last year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared with last year" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, providing a point of reference for a comparison. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically sound for indicating changes over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compared with last year" is a versatile and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to contextualize data by providing a temporal reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its frequency is classified as "Very common", appearing most often in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Academic" contexts. To ensure clarity, remember to specify what is being compared, as a lack of specificity is a common error. Alternatives include "year-over-year" and "compared to the previous year", which offer slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Compared to the previous year

Replaces "last year" with a more formal phrasing.

In comparison to last year

Adds "in comparison" for emphasis on the comparison.

Against the prior year

Uses "prior year" for a slightly more formal tone.

When compared to last year

Emphasizes the act of comparing.

Relative to the previous year

Uses "relative to" for a more analytical tone.

Year-over-year

A concise term indicating a comparison between two consecutive years, often used in business contexts.

As opposed to last year

Highlights a contrast with the previous year.

Versus last year

A shorter and more direct way to express the comparison, often used in data reporting.

From the year before

A simpler and more informal way to indicate the previous year.

Over the last year

Focuses on the change that has occurred during the last year.

FAQs

How can I use "compared with last year" in a sentence?

Use "compared with last year" to show differences or similarities between a current metric and the same metric from the previous year. For example, "Our profits are up 20% "compared with last year"." Ensure that the subject being compared is clear.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "compared with last year"?

Alternatives include "year-over-year", "compared to the previous year", or "against the prior year". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "compared to last year" instead of "compared with last year"?

Both "compared to last year" and "compared with last year" are grammatically acceptable, though "compared with" is often considered more precise when highlighting differences, while "compared to" is preferred to assess similarities. Using "compared with last year" is therefore a safe and reliable choice.

How does using "compared with last year" enhance clarity in reports?

Using "compared with last year" provides a specific point of reference, making it easier to understand changes and trends over time. For example, stating "Customer satisfaction increased by 15% "compared with last year"" gives immediate context to the improvement.