comparing to before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparing to before" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two different statistical or qualitative values at different times, or to compare how one person or thing is different from how it was previously. For example, "Sales of the product have increased by 25%, comparing to before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The results showed that VAS scores of pain after acupuncture were significantly decreased comparing to before acupuncture treatment in all three groups (P = 0.000).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Compared to before, they're somewhat more willing to disclose information," he said.

The New York Times

Sun Lin, this pool's lanky lifeguard, says: "Compared to before, fewer people come to just talk".

The New York Times

However, I have only been in Hackney for four years now but all my friends and neighbours say how safe it is now compared to before.

The Guardian

"It means things get missed more easily compared to before and that jobs don't always get done when they should".

The Guardian

The areas were larger if fluorescein was applied after piercing compared to before piercing.

Journal of Controlled Release

Our hypothesis is that after the training, participants' will have improved knowledge and ultrasound skills compared to before training.

Journal of Surgical Education

There was also a significant decrease in the duration of headaches (p < 0.001) during pregnancy compared to before.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Similar to psychiatric outcomes, there was a significant main effect for MHRC, with a β coefficient of −2.1 visits after MHRC compared to before.

Health & Justice

While women had fewer psychiatric hospitalization days than men regardless of program involvement (2.5 and 4.6, respectively), both genders experienced fewer days after MHRC compared to before.

Health & Justice

Our analyses show that the relationship between acceptance and intention after controlling for the set of indicators has decreased by more than 50% compared to before controlling.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparing to before" to clearly highlight changes or differences when evaluating the impact of an action or event over time.

Common error

Ensure the "before" refers to a clearly defined point in time or situation. Vague references can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparing to before" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a point of reference for comparison, indicating a change or difference relative to a prior state or time. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comparing to before" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to illustrate a change or difference from a previous condition. As supported by Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, providing a point of reference for evaluation. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is widely applicable across science, news, and business contexts. When using "comparing to before", ensure you specify the context to avoid any ambiguity and to maximize clarity. Remember that while other alternatives exist, this phrase provides a natural and clear way to emphasize changes over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Compared with the past

Focuses on a general comparison with a less specific timeframe.

Unlike before

Simple and direct negation of a previous state.

In contrast to what existed previously

Emphasizes the difference from a prior condition or state.

Different from its prior state

Focuses on the change in condition.

As opposed to earlier

Highlights a direct opposition to a prior time.

In comparison with former times

Formal way to reference the past.

As against its previous version

Emphasizes that something has evolved from a prior version.

Relative to what it used to be

Highlights the change in the subject by relating it to its older self.

Juxtaposed with its original form

Highlights a contrasting view from the subject's original form.

Compared against its initial condition

More formal and technical, useful when precision is needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "comparing to before" to illustrate a change from a previous state, such as: "The patient's pain level decreased significantly, "comparing to before" the acupuncture treatment."

What are some alternatives to "comparing to before"?

Alternatives include "compared with the past", "unlike before", or "in contrast to what existed previously". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "comparing to before" when discussing changes?

No, but using "comparing to before" is useful when you want to explicitly draw attention to the change or improvement from a previous condition. It emphasizes the difference.

Which is more formal, "comparing to before" or "in comparison to before"?

"In comparison to before" can sound more formal, but ""comparing to before"" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts and often sounds more natural.