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

for comparison's sake
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(9)

by way of comparison

as a point of comparison

for illustrative purposes

in contrast

by comparison with

to provide context

as an analogy

to give you an idea

as a frame of reference

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

60 human-written examples

Finally, for comparison's sake, here's last year's top 10 list.

News & Media

Huffington Post

For comparison's sake, a Subaru Outback offers 8.7 inches.

News & Media

The New York Times

He steered them east, if only for comparison's sake.

News & Media

The New York Times

(For comparison's sake, 1 × 10¯²⁴ centuries comes to three millionths of a billionth of a second).

News & Media

The New Yorker

For comparison's sake, let's look at two other one-game suspensions this postseason.

News & Media

The New York Times

(For comparison's sake, a large rear-loading garbage truck carries up to 25 cubic yards).

News & Media

The New York Times

For comparison's sake, the Impreza Sport sells in the low $20,000 range.

News & Media

The New York Times

For comparison's sake I tested, concurrent with the Routan, a Chrysler Town & Country.

News & Media

The New York Times

For comparison's sake, ask yourself how many profiles of Bradley's campaign manager you have read.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

(For comparison's sake, the city of Los Angeles uses about one-fifth of a cubic mile of water annually).

News & Media

The New Yorker

For comparison's sake, along with the Prado Enea, we also tasted eight vintages of the Torre Muga.

News & Media

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for comparison's sake" to introduce data or examples that will help your audience better understand the subject at hand. Make sure the comparison is relevant and clearly illustrates your point.

Common error

Avoid using "for comparison's sake" if the comparison is weak or irrelevant. A poorly chosen comparison can confuse your audience and weaken your argument.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for comparison's sake" functions as a prepositional phrase used as an adverbial phrase. Its main purpose is to introduce an example or information that provides context through comparison, helping the audience to better understand the subject matter, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

Science

Less common in

Encyclopedias

Reference

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for comparison's sake" is a prepositional phrase that functions adverbially, primarily to introduce context via comparison. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's prevalent in news and media, serving to clarify complex topics by relating them to familiar concepts. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for various writing styles. Alternatives like "by way of comparison" or "as a point of comparison" can be used to achieve similar effects. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is relevant and enhances the audience's understanding; otherwise, the comparison may confuse the main point.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by comparison with

Directly compares one thing with another, similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

by way of comparison

Emphasizes the act of comparing as a method for understanding.

as a point of comparison

Highlights the comparison as a specific aspect or detail being considered.

for illustrative purposes

Shifts the focus to using an example to clarify or explain something.

to provide context

Broadens the scope to include any information that helps understand the situation, not just direct comparisons.

as an analogy

Introduces a comparison based on similarities between different things.

to draw a parallel

Focuses on highlighting similarities between two distinct situations or items.

in contrast

Highlights the differences instead of similarities.

to give you an idea

Offers a more general way to introduce an example or point.

as a frame of reference

Presents information to help establish a standard for evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "for comparison's sake" in a sentence?

Use "for comparison's sake" to introduce an example or piece of information that provides context. For example, "The new model is smaller; "for comparison's sake", the previous version was nearly twice the size."

What are some alternatives to "for comparison's sake"?

You can use phrases like "by way of comparison", "as a point of comparison", or "for illustrative purposes" to introduce a comparative element.

When is it appropriate to use "for comparison's sake"?

Use "for comparison's sake" when you want to provide additional context or clarity by showing how something relates to a known or understood entity. It's useful for illustrating scale, size, or impact.

How does "for comparison's sake" differ from "in contrast"?

"For comparison's sake" introduces a comparison to provide understanding, whereas "in contrast" highlights the differences between two things. The former aims to clarify, while the latter emphasizes distinctions.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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for comparison's sakeGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

for comparison's sake
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples