comparison to when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparison to when" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to introduce a comparison related to a specific time, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "In comparison to when we first started the project, our progress has significantly improved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It felt very strange in comparison to when I played other guys, because Tim was someone that I looked up to when I was growing up," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Gladstone is 10percentt bigger than he would be normally, because when you go outside in the open statues sink in comparison to when they are in rooms.

The Guardian

We also observe that the combined use of these two strategies does not result in increased pro-environmental behavior in comparison to when they are used separately.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

When fed the soft-textured pellets, a greater proportion of feed particles in the stomach was found in comparison to when the control diet was fed (P<0.001).

Aquaculture

When roughness-induced closure is the prime pre-overload closure mechanism, the retardation effect is decreased in comparison to when plasticity-induced closure is dominant.

International Journal of Fatigue

The Pacers came down hard on George almost immediately, leading to a swift apology from George, but this will be nothing in comparison to when the next NBA player is charged with an actual violent crime.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Healthcare reform will be trickier, but anchoring comparisons to when President Obama got elected is probably the best they can hope for by way of comparison.

Forbes

I happen to be a villain in this massive soap opera script," Limbaugh said, drawing comparisons to when he called Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke a "slut".

Huffington Post

Under the chosen conditions, the extension for the A-primer was 56%% when paired with the 5mC template in comparison to 18%% when paired with the C template.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Several players brought up a comparison to 2001, when Brady was the unheralded backup forced into duty when Bledsoe was injured in September against the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

It then offers a comparison to show when an ideational account is required to explain a political outcome versus when a non-ideational explanation is sufficient.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "compared to when" or "in contrast to when" for clearer and more grammatically sound comparisons related to time. This improves readability and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Do not use "comparison to when" in formal writing. The phrase is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, use alternatives like "compared to when" or "in contrast to when" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparison to when" attempts to establish a temporal comparison. However, it's grammatically unconventional. Correct alternatives, such as "compared to when", function as prepositional phrases introducing a subordinate clause, establishing the basis for comparison.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "comparison to when" is used in various contexts, Ludwig identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to draw a comparison between different points in time but lacks the grammatical soundness of alternatives like "compared to when" or "in contrast to when". For clear and professional communication, these alternatives are recommended. Although it appears in both news and scientific sources, its incorrectness detracts from its overall effectiveness. Choose more standard alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to when

Replaces "comparison to" with the more concise and grammatically correct "compared to".

in contrast to when

Substitutes "comparison to" with "in contrast to", emphasizing the difference being highlighted.

relative to when

Replaces "comparison to" with "relative to", indicating a relationship or proportion concerning time.

as opposed to when

Uses "as opposed to" instead of "comparison to", clearly marking a contrast between two time points.

by comparison with when

Adds "with" to clarify the object of the comparison, enhancing grammatical correctness.

in relation to when

Replaces "comparison to" with "in relation to", suggesting a contextual connection involving time.

when compared with

Inverts the phrase to emphasize the time aspect in the comparison.

assessed against when

Substitutes with "assessed against", highlighting a more formal evaluation over time.

juxtaposed with when

Replaces the phrase indicating placing two things side by side for contrasting effect.

measured against when

Emphasizes quantitative assessment instead of a general comparison.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "comparison to when"?

A more grammatically sound alternative is "compared to when". It is a concise and widely accepted way to express a comparison involving time.

Can I use "in relation to when" instead of "comparison to when"?

Yes, "in relation to when" can be used, but it's generally better to use "compared to when" as it is more direct and commonly accepted.

Is there a subtle difference between "compared to when" and "in contrast to when"?

"Compared to when" generally indicates a similarity or general assessment, while "in contrast to when" specifically highlights differences. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize similarities or differences.

When is it appropriate to use "as opposed to when"?

"As opposed to when" is suitable when you want to strongly emphasize a distinction or direct opposition between two points in time. It's stronger than a simple comparison.