drawing parallels

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawing parallels" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two or more things to each other to show their similarities or to explain a concept. For example, you could say: "By drawing parallels between the current situation and historical events, we can better understand the implications of our decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The game backs away from drawing parallels.

The Guardian - Tech

But Sergeant Pasquariello cautioned against drawing parallels between the incidents.

The New York Times

"Drawing parallels helped people understand what they could do".

The New York Times - Tech

If generally drawing parallels, I prefer 'neo-fascist'".

The Guardian - Opinion

Hague showed masterly restraint in drawing parallels between past and present.

The Guardian - Books

"It's not about drawing parallels, it's about the players you have," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Drawing parallels with successful public-health efforts to minimize tobacco use, however, gets us only so far.

The New York Times - Magazine

The daily Le Monde went further, drawing parallels between this "strange defeat" and another, on the front lines of 1940.

The New York Times

Having said that, I don't think we should go too far in drawing parallels to the present.

The New York Times

But officials caution against drawing parallels with Libya, where the rebels were aided by American-led NATO air power.

The Economist

Beauvoir never resists drawing parallels between racism and sexism, and the world hasn't stopped being racist yet, either.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "drawing parallels", ensure the comparison is relevant and insightful, avoiding superficial or misleading connections. A well-supported comparison strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the similarities when "drawing parallels". Clearly acknowledge any differences to maintain credibility and prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawing parallels" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically using the gerund form of the verb "draw". It commonly acts as a noun phrase within a sentence, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct and usable English phrase, as exemplified in the provided contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drawing parallels" is a frequently used and grammatically correct English expression. It functions primarily to highlight similarities between different subjects, fostering better understanding through comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied contexts, predominantly in news and media and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to ensure the comparison is relevant and well-supported, avoiding exaggeration of similarities to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "making comparisons" or "finding similarities" can be considered for nuanced expressions. The phrase's widespread use and clear purpose make it a valuable asset in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing a comparison

A more direct and emphatic way of stating a comparison.

finding similarities

Highlights the act of discovering shared traits.

making comparisons

Focuses on the act of comparing without necessarily implying direct similarities.

seeing similarities

Highlights the perception of common characteristics.

likening to

Suggests a figurative or imaginative comparison.

making an analogy

Focuses on creating an analogy to explain or clarify something.

establishing connections

Emphasizes the creation of a link or relationship between two things.

equating to

Implies a strong sense of equivalence or sameness.

analogizing with

A more formal and academic alternative, suggesting a detailed comparison.

correlating with

Suggests a statistical or causal relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "drawing parallels" in a sentence?

You can use "drawing parallels" to compare different subjects, such as "By "drawing parallels" between the economic crises of the 1930s and 2008, we can learn valuable lessons".

What are some alternatives to "drawing parallels"?

Some alternatives include "making comparisons", "finding similarities", or "establishing connections" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "drawing parallels"?

While "drawing parallels" can be useful, ensure that the comparison is relevant and not misleading. Overstating similarities can weaken your argument. If there aren't true parallels, it could be misleading. If the comparison is weak, consider "making distinctions" instead.

What is the difference between "drawing parallels" and "making analogies"?

"Drawing parallels" generally highlights existing similarities, while "making analogies" often creates a comparison to explain or clarify a concept. An analogy might be more figurative, while drawing parallels tends to be more literal.