for comparative purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for comparative purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being used for comparison. For example, "We compared the current year's sales figures to last year's figures for comparative purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Otherwise they will not be useful for comparative purposes.

The New York Times

Some Italian artworks have been included for comparative purposes.

The New York Times - Arts

But, as the pink paper notes, the gross figure is still important for comparative purposes.

The Guardian - Sport

The film is a bit hagiographic, but it's worth viewing for comparative purposes.

The New York Times - Arts

Nonetheless, academics, economists and elected officials use the estimates for comparative purposes).

The New York Times

England was included for comparative purposes.

The Lancet

Azimuthal resistivity (ARS) measurements were also made for comparative purposes.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

For comparative purposes, a catalyst-free sample was also checked.

Carbon

The  kB test has been undertaken for comparative purposes only.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For comparative purposes the control area was 100%.

Phytomedicine

(For comparative purposes, Snapchat's Google Play listing put it at 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 installs).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for comparative purposes", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined and that the basis for comparison is relevant to your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "for comparative purposes" in simple sentences where the comparison is already obvious. Opt for more concise phrasing, such as "in comparison" or simply stating the comparison directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for comparative purposes" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the reason or purpose behind an action, specifically that something is done to enable or facilitate comparison, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for comparative purposes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is intended to facilitate a comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal writing. To maintain clarity, ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined. Consider using simpler alternatives when the comparison is obvious. Common synonyms includes phrases like "for comparison's sake", "to allow comparison", and "as a basis for comparison", but remember to choose the one that best fits the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for comparison's sake

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes the act of comparing.

to allow comparison

This alternative focuses on enabling a comparison to be made.

to facilitate comparison

This alternative highlights the ease with which a comparison can be made.

as a basis for comparison

This alternative emphasizes the foundational role in establishing a comparison.

by way of comparison

This alternative is slightly more formal and indicates a comparison will follow.

for the sake of comparing

This alternative emphasizes the act of comparing rather than the purpose.

with the aim of comparing

This alternative specifically states the goal of making a comparison.

in order to compare

This alternative explicitly states the intention to compare.

as a point of reference

This alternative focuses on using something as a standard for evaluation.

for benchmarking

This alternative is more specific and refers to using something as a standard or benchmark.

FAQs

How can I use "for comparative purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "for comparative purposes" to indicate that something is being presented or analyzed as a point of comparison. For example, "We included data from last year "for comparative purposes" to show the extent of the improvement."

What are some alternatives to "for comparative purposes"?

Alternatives include "for comparison's sake", "to allow comparison", or "as a basis for comparison" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "for comparative purposes"?

No, it's not always necessary. If the comparison is implied or obvious from the context, explicitly stating "for comparative purposes" might be redundant. Simpler phrases like "in comparison" may suffice.

When is it most appropriate to use "for comparative purposes"?

It is most appropriate when you want to clearly signal to the reader that the information is being presented specifically to facilitate a comparison, especially in formal writing or when the comparison might not be immediately obvious.