comparing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparing to" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might say, "Comparing to the performance last year, this year's team has made remarkable progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You stop comparing to other people's children.

The New York Times - Health

Defoe's title is worth comparing to those of other travel and adventure narratives.

The Guardian

And even under Clinton, who ran surpluses, added substantially comparing to pre-Reagan presidents.

The New Yorker

Many bodies that recorded increases were comparing to bases of 0% in the 2014 report.

The Guardian - Sport

Women are particularly prone to holding expectations of what a woman should be and comparing to others.

The Guardian

"The biggest difference with Richard now, maybe comparing to the last couple of years, is his fitness.

The Guardian - Sport

Until the arrival of Adam Wainwright, nobody has ever come close to comparing to Carpenter.

The New York Times

Our sales were way up, but remember we were comparing to very down times.

The New York Times

He is the developing talent that his country is comparing to a young Andriy Shevchenko.

The New York Times - Sports

#Indicates P < 0.05 comparing to control and hCLP46 overexpressed cells.

Protein & Cell

Apriori algorithm is faster comparing to predictive apriori.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comparing to", ensure that the items being compared are of the same general type for a logical and clear comparison. For instance, compare the performance of one model to another, not to a completely unrelated concept.

Common error

Avoid using "comparing to" without specifying what is being compared. Always provide a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Example: Instead of saying "The results were better, comparing to...", specify "The results were better comparing to last year's findings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparing to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a point of reference for comparison. It establishes a relationship between two entities, allowing for an evaluation of their similarities or differences. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is used to draw parallels or contrasts across various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comparing to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase for establishing comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application across various domains, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity in comparisons. For alternatives, consider phrases like "in comparison with" or "relative to". Be sure to use it to its full meaning, in order to make the comparison as clear as possible for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in comparison with

Replaces "to" with "with" maintaining a similar comparative structure.

compared with

Uses a past participle form to initiate the comparison.

in relation to

Shifts the focus slightly towards relating rather than direct comparison.

relative to

Offers a more formal and concise way to indicate a comparison point.

by comparison to

Adds emphasis on the act of comparing.

juxtaposed with

Implies placing two items side by side for contrast or comparison.

weighed against

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

assessed against

Focuses on evaluating something in relation to a standard or benchmark.

measured against

Highlights the use of specific criteria to compare and quantify differences.

versus

Provides a direct and concise way to show opposition or comparison between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "comparing to" in a sentence?

You can use "comparing to" to show how two things are similar or different. For example, "Comparing to last year's sales, this year's are much higher."

What's a formal alternative to "comparing to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "in comparison with" or "relative to". For instance, "The data was analyzed "in comparison with" previous studies."

Is it correct to use "comparing to" in academic writing?

Yes, "comparing to" is acceptable in academic writing, but ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to your analysis. Always maintain clarity and precision in academic contexts.

How does "comparing to" differ from "compared to"?

"Comparing to" is used to actively compare two things in a sentence, whereas "compared to" is used as part of a passive comparison or as a preposition. For example, "Comparing to the old model, the new one is faster" versus "The new model is faster "compared to" the old one."