compares

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compares" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing similarities or differences between two or more subjects, often in analytical or comparative contexts. Example: "The study compares the effectiveness of two different teaching methods on student performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also clones your GitHub repo, and compares your merged pull request with the history of the commit that's currently on the site.

The Guardian

The film's bow compares to superior $37.4m and $29.8m openings for District 9 and Elysium in 2009 and 2013, though the film-maker will hope to do better outside north America.

The Guardian - Film

This compares with 30% who feel that the Government is being too harsh.

The Guardian

9.07am: While waiting for the Dutch debt auction results, there's an entertaining column in the Financial Times today by Kenneth Rogoff, Harvard University's professor of economics, in which he compares the eurozone to a young couple who set up with a joint bank account before getting married.

The Guardian - Business

Compare My Energy is an online tool available in the UK that compares a consumer's energy usage with similar households in their area (though not yet for Wales).

The Guardian

This compares with the 68 that Labour needed for a majority this year.

The Guardian

It's well known that graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) get a raw deal: our pay compares miserably with other staff members, as is often pointed out.

The Guardian

He compares marriage to communism, in that it's "an ideology that's been dreamed up by someone as being fit for human beings without them having any knowledge of what the human animal is actually like, what it needs, what it can and can't do".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That compares with 6.9% in December to February and would be the lowest rate since the start of 2009.

The Guardian

This compares to capital spending (including capital maintenance) around the last election of approximately £1.8bn 2009-10 and £2.25bn in 2010-11, in today's prices.

The Guardian

The annual wage of nearly £77,000 that a first-time buyer needs in London compares with the average annual wage in the capital of just £27,999.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compares" to highlight both similarities and differences, providing a balanced analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "compares" without explicitly stating what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "This compares favorably", specify "This result compares favorably with previous findings".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compares" is as a verb in the third-person singular present tense. It indicates the act of examining two or more entities to observe similarities and differences, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Sport

6%

Travel

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "compares" functions as a verb to analyze and highlight similarities or differences between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in news, business and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal tone. For alternatives, consider using "likens" for similarities or "contrasts" for differences. Remember to clearly define the subjects being compared for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likens

Focuses on drawing parallels or resemblances between two subjects.

contrasts

Emphasizes the differences rather than the similarities.

equates

Suggests a direct equivalence or mathematical relationship.

balances

Highlights the comparative weights or significance.

juxtaposes

Places two things side by side for contrasting effect.

correlates

Indicates a statistical relationship or association.

relates

Establishes a connection or link between subjects.

matches

Suggests a high degree of similarity or correspondence.

assesses

Involves a systematic evaluation and comparison.

differentiates

Clearly distinguishes between two or more items.

FAQs

How can I use "compares" in a sentence?

Use "compares" to show similarities or differences between two or more subjects. For example, "The study "compares" the effectiveness of two different teaching methods".

What are some alternatives to the word "compares"?

Alternatives to "compares" include "likens", "contrasts", and "equates", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "compares to" or "compares with"?

Both "compares to" and "compares with" are acceptable, but "compares to" is typically used when highlighting similarities, while "compares with" is used for both similarities and differences.

What's the difference between "compares" and "contrasts"?

"Compares" generally looks at both similarities and differences, while "contrasts" focuses primarily on the differences between two or more subjects.