compared with the past

USAGE SUMMARY

"compared with the past" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to contrast the present or future with the past. For example: 1. "Compared with the past, technology has greatly advanced, making our lives more convenient." 2. "The recent economic crisis was minor compared with the past recessions our country has faced." 3. "Compared with the past, the fashion trends of today are much more daring and unconventional." 4. "In terms of environmental protection, our efforts now are significantly greater compared with the past." 5. "Compared with the past, education has become more accessible to people of all backgrounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Compared with the past, he said the missions were effective.

The Guardian

I respect everyone's opinion but I haven't done anything new compared with the past".

The Guardian - Sport

They could be better, but they are not so bad when compared with the past.

The New York Times

However, compared with the past he describes, the "semi-retirement" is true enough.

The Guardian - Books

Compared with the past, graphic images of dismembered foetuses were rare this year.

The Economist

Compared with the past, the region also has better infrastructure for networking, both by transport routes and telecom cables.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Compared with the past six weeks, the past two seasons were serene.

The New York Times - Sports

How does that success compare with the past?

The Washington Post

An indicator for this abnormal sign of single specific patient should be designed by comparing with the past normal records of this patient.

Computers in Human Behavior

As unpleasant as commercial air travel compares with the past, global trade was only crimped and not stifled by the events of nine years ago.

Forbes

The Fix wrote this year about the relatively low number of women and people of color in Trump's Cabinet, compared with the past six administrations.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compared with the past" to clearly highlight changes or differences between a current situation and a previous one, providing context for understanding progress, decline, or stability.

Common error

Avoid using "compared with the past" without specifying which past you are referring to. Be specific about the timeframe to prevent misinterpretations (e.g., "compared with the past decade" or "compared with the past century").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compared with the past" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a comparison, setting a temporal reference point. It serves to contrast a present situation or condition with a previous one. Ludwig provides many examples where this structure effectively highlights change or continuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compared with the past" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that establishes a comparison between present and past conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely employed across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific timeframes to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. While alternatives like "in contrast to earlier times" exist, "compared with the past" remains a direct and effective way to highlight temporal relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to earlier times

Replaces "compared with" with "in contrast to" and refers to "earlier times" instead of "the past".

in comparison to former days

Swaps "compared with" with "in comparison to" and uses "former days" instead of "the past".

as opposed to what used to be

Uses "as opposed to" to introduce the comparison, highlighting a shift from previous conditions.

differing from prior periods

Emphasizes the difference from "prior periods" using a more formal tone.

unlike previous eras

Expresses dissimilarity with "previous eras", focusing on distinct timeframes.

as compared to bygone years

Utilizes a more literary tone, replacing "the past" with "bygone years".

relative to the old days

Uses "relative to" to frame the comparison, referring to "the old days".

in relation to what was

Focuses on the relationship between the present and "what was" before.

assessed against historical norms

This is a more formal and analytical comparison with "historical norms".

measured against previous benchmarks

This implies a quantitative evaluation "against previous benchmarks".

FAQs

How can I use "compared with the past" in a sentence?

Use "compared with the past" to show differences between a situation now and how it used to be. For example, "Compared with the past, technology has improved significantly."

What are some alternatives to "compared with the past"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in contrast to earlier times", "differing from prior periods", or "unlike previous eras", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "compared with the past" or "compared to the past"?

Both "compared with the past" and "compared to the past" are acceptable, though "compared with" is generally preferred for highlighting differences, while "compared to" is used for assessing similarities. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.

What's the difference between "compared with the past" and "in the past"?

"Compared with the past" highlights a direct comparison, while "in the past" simply refers to a time before the present. The former sets up a contrast, whereas the latter just indicates a previous period.