comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a number of contexts. For example: "I conducted a comparison of the two products and found that they have similar features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yellen's studied, academic, consensus-friendly approach is also another plus in her favor – particularly in comparison to Larry Summers, her bright but brash rival for the job.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Best I've seen since Roger Byrne," reckoned the Joy of Six's dad's Uncle Mick - not much of an accolade on the face of it, given a period of only ten years, but the comparison was intended as the highest compliment.

The Guardian - Sport

BBC1's figures held up better by comparison with the last general election in 2005, when the network averaged 4.7 million.

The Guardian

Under the new regime, a basic-rate taxpayer would be able to save around £70,000 in a top-paying easy access account before any of their interest was subject to tax, while the equivalent figure for higher-rate taxpayers was around £35,000, according to comparison website MoneySuperMarket.

The Guardian - Money

As a comparison, the best Android Wear watches manage three days, while the Apple Watch is expected to need a nightly recharge.

The Guardian - Tech

"The recent opening of a Vivienne Westwood boutique and the creativity coming out of the renowned fashion school at Northumbria University certainly bears Parisian comparison".

The Guardian

They wrote: "The comparison between observation based estimates of [warming] … and model-based estimates is comparing apples and pears, as the models are calculating true global means, whereas the observations have limited coverage".

The Guardian

Ukraine by comparison has at best 14,500 personnel, 10 naval vessels that are still perilously berthed at Sevastopol just up the bay from their Russian adversaries.

The Guardian

"I just did a crude comparison - and it was back when the pound was strong - which is why we ended up with a £25,000 commitment in the UK".

The Guardian

In comparison to western cities such as London, as well as cities in Brazil and South Africa, Mumbai has very low levels of car ownership.

The Guardian

Such books are not often produced today, because, as Mr Toynbee shows in his witty comparison of historical and industrial production, they are discouraged by the turn that the writing of history has taken.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making a "comparison", be specific about the criteria you are using to evaluate the items or concepts being compared. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid making comparisons without clearly stating what is being compared to what. Always ensure the basis of "comparison" is explicit to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "comparison" primarily functions as a tool for understanding relationships between different entities. It enables evaluation of similarities and differences, as evidenced in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "comparison" is a versatile noun widely used for evaluating similarities and differences across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news, business, and science. When using "comparison", ensure clarity in your criteria and avoid incomplete statements. Alternatives such as ""contrast"" or ""evaluation"" can be considered depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparative evaluation

Highlights the evaluative aspect of comparing different entities or options.

contrast

Focuses specifically on highlighting the differences between two or more things, rather than a general assessment.

relative assessment

Emphasizes that the evaluation is done in relation to something else, providing a framework for the judgement.

differentiation

Emphasizes the act of distinguishing between things, highlighting their unique characteristics.

contrastive analysis

Refers to the detailed and systematic examination of differences, often used in linguistic contexts.

weighing up

Implies carefully considering different factors or options before making a decision.

juxtaposition

Places two or more things side by side, often to highlight their differences or similarities in a striking way.

parallel

Highlights the similarities or correspondences between two or more things.

correlation

Focuses on the statistical relationship between two or more variables, indicating how they change together.

evaluation

Focuses on assessing the value or quality of something, which may involve comparing it to a standard or other entities.

FAQs

How do I use "comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "comparison" to describe the act of comparing two or more things. For example, "The "comparison" between the two models revealed significant differences in fuel efficiency."

What's a good substitute for the word "comparison"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "contrast", "assessment", or "evaluation" as alternatives to "comparison".

How does a "comparison" differ from a contrast?

A "comparison" generally involves examining both similarities and differences, while a "contrast" primarily focuses on highlighting the differences between two or more things.

What is "comparative analysis"?

Comparative analysis is a detailed examination comparing different elements, often used in linguistic contexts.