Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
failed in comparison
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "failed in comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is not as good or effective as something else when making a comparison. Example: "The new model of the smartphone failed in comparison to its predecessor, which had better features and performance."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
My point here isn't to talk down FDR and LBJ, but rather to counter the idea that Obama "failed" in comparison.
News & Media
In HER2 CISH a higher number of specimens were reported failed in comparison to staining with PathVysion FISH.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
A 3-founder team we learn is 8% less likely to fail in comparison to a single-founder company and the ratio drops again for teams of 4 or more cofounders.
News & Media
SAM had a high recall ratio for true positives but failed in a few comparisons to eliminate false positives as reflected by the high standard deviation (worst in the comparison of Exp 8 versus Exp 4 with more than 300 hits).
Science
To take the kind of allergen tested into account is important, because our study demonstrated that 43 (40.2 %) FC tests with peanut and hazelnut were followed by a failed introduction in comparison with 9 (11.4 %) of the milk and egg FC tests.
Metallic and polymeric materials serve as a better replacement in repair and replacement of cardiac tissues, but they fail in functional comparison with biological tissues.
The disconnect is that modern Iran so fails badly in comparison.
News & Media
The "finest" analysis can distinguish the rime difference between heavy and light syllables (VX vs. V), but it fails 30b, in comparison with the CVX analysis.
Science
It was apparently worried about maintaining consensus on an overhaul of international corporate tax.Fortunately, Canada, Australia and other countries that fared poorly in the international comparisons (see chart) failed in their efforts to have them all taken out.
News & Media
d, the comparison includes 4 reactions that failed in the first experimental set-up and were repeated for the attributable steps.
Science
Franklin failed in 2008.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "failed in comparison", clearly specify the criteria on which the comparison is based to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The new software failed in comparison to its predecessor in terms of user-friendliness and speed".
Common error
Avoid using "failed in comparison" without specifying what aspects are being compared. Saying "The product failed in comparison" is vague. Instead, clarify: "The product failed in comparison regarding durability and cost-effectiveness."
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "failed in comparison" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how something performed relative to something else. Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase indicates a lack of success or quality when contrasted with another entity or standard.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Encyclopedias
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Reference
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "failed in comparison" is an adverbial phrase used to express that something is inadequate when compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in science and news media. While not extremely frequent, it serves the purpose of making a critical assessment by pointing out relative deficiencies. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly state the basis of the comparison for clarity. Related phrases like "pales in comparison" or "falls short of" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
pales in comparison
Uses a different metaphor to convey being less significant or impressive.
falls short of
Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.
is overshadowed by
Highlights the dominance of one thing over another.
doesn't measure up to
Suggests a failure to reach the same level of quality or success.
is inferior to
Directly states a lower quality or status.
is second-rate compared to
Emphasizes the lower quality by explicitly stating its rank.
is no match for
Implies a significant difference in ability or quality, making competition impossible.
is a poor substitute for
Suggests inadequacy as a replacement.
can't hold a candle to
An idiomatic expression indicating a large difference in quality.
is outclassed by
Emphasizes the superior quality or performance of the other item in the comparison.
FAQs
How can I use "failed in comparison" in a sentence?
You can use "failed in comparison" to indicate that something did not perform as well as something else. For example, "The new design "paled in comparison" to the original version."
What are some alternatives to "failed in comparison"?
Alternatives include phrases like "paled in comparison", "fell short of", or "did not measure up to". Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "failed in comparison to" or "failed compared to"?
"Failed in comparison to" is generally preferred as it is more grammatically complete and clear. "Failed compared to" is less common but can be acceptable in informal contexts.
What does it mean when something "fails in comparison"?
It means that when assessed against something else, it is found to be inadequate or less successful. The degree of failure can vary, but it implies a noticeable difference in quality or performance.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested