comparison to that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparison to that of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing similarities or differences between two subjects, particularly when one is being compared to another's characteristics or qualities. Example: "The comparison to that of previous studies reveals significant changes in the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, let's be honest, Christian fasting pales in comparison to that of lots of other religions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Mark's bellowing carnivorousness pales in comparison to that of Pat Jnr.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Branwell Brontë's gift to posterity may be trifling in comparison to that of his sisters.

The Guardian

Any lineup that O'Neill named would have looked strong in comparison to that of the lowest-ranked team in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

Both of their predecessors had engaged in dishonest bookkeeping – but Bush's pale in comparison to that of Papandreou's predecessor.

The Guardian - Opinion

The traditional role of the Japanese Neonatal Nurse differs in comparison to that of western colleagues'.

Journal of Neonatal Nursing

Samples that jointed vertically displayed superior properties in comparison to that of jointed horizontally.

Construction and Building Materials

Over the years, Iraq's involvement in terrorism, while grotesque, fades in comparison to that of Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan.

The New York Times - Books

When the New York subway system truly is worthy of comparison to that of London, then we will be ready for a serious discussion about congestion pricing.

The New York Times

Unigo's 25 editors would be the first to acknowledge that their contribution to the site pales in comparison to that of their legion of student contributors.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet, despite this example, Vividor says coverage of measures that could reduce natural disaster risk is very limited in comparison to that of the disasters themselves.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comparison to that of", ensure that the entities being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of 'The results showed a comparison to that of the previous study', specify 'The results showed a comparison to that of the results of the previous study'.

Common error

Avoid unnecessary repetition by ensuring that the context doesn't already imply a comparison. For example, using "comparison to that of" after already establishing a comparative framework can make the sentence needlessly wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparison to that of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a point of reference for evaluating the subject. It sets up a relationship between two entities, allowing for a focused assessment of similarities or differences, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comparison to that of" serves as a prepositional phrase used to establish a basis for evaluating a subject's characteristics in relation to another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. With high occurrence in news, science, and formal writing, it maintains a neutral tone and can be employed effectively to highlight both similarities and differences. When using this phrase, ensure clear definitions of the entities being compared to avoid ambiguity and prevent unnecessary wordiness. Finally, alternatives like "compared to that of" or "in contrast to that of" may offer greater precision depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to that of

Replaces "comparison" with "compared", shifting from a noun to a participial adjective.

by comparison with that of

Similar to "compared to", but with a slightly more formal tone.

in contrast to that of

Emphasizes the differences rather than similarities.

in relation to that of

Highlights the relationship between the two entities being compared.

assessed against that of

Implies a more formal or analytical comparison.

relative to that of

Indicates a comparison based on a proportional or relative scale.

as opposed to that of

Suggests a direct opposition or contrast.

when compared with that of

Adds a conditional element to the comparison.

juxtaposed with that of

Highlights the act of placing two things side by side for comparison.

drawing a parallel to that of

Focuses on identifying similarities or analogies.

FAQs

How can I use "comparison to that of" in a sentence?

Use "comparison to that of" to highlight similarities or differences between two entities. For example, "The new model's performance is impressive in "comparison to that of" its predecessor".

What are some alternatives to "comparison to that of"?

You can use alternatives like "compared to that of", "in contrast to that of", or "relative to that of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "comparison with that of" instead of "comparison to that of"?

"Comparison to" and "comparison with" are often interchangeable, but "comparison to" emphasizes the act of comparing, while "comparison with" focuses on the relationship established by the comparison. Thus, both are acceptable but may have subtle differences in connotation.

What is the difference between "comparison to that of" and "in comparison with"?

"Comparison to that of" is used to directly compare specific attributes or qualities, while "in comparison with" sets a broader context for assessment. For instance, "His skill pales in "comparison to that of" a professional player," versus "In "comparison with" previous years, this year's sales have increased significantly".