in comparison to that of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in comparison to that of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two things, indicating that one is in some way similar or different to the other. For example: "The number of students enrolling in higher education has grown significantly in comparison to that of 15 years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, let's be honest, Christian fasting pales in comparison to that of lots of other religions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Mark's bellowing carnivorousness pales in comparison to that of Pat Jnr.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Branwell Brontë's gift to posterity may be trifling in comparison to that of his sisters.

The Guardian

Any lineup that O'Neill named would have looked strong in comparison to that of the lowest-ranked team in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

Both of their predecessors had engaged in dishonest bookkeeping – but Bush's pale in comparison to that of Papandreou's predecessor.

The Guardian - Opinion

The traditional role of the Japanese Neonatal Nurse differs in comparison to that of western colleagues'.

Journal of Neonatal Nursing

Structures of the formed layer are discussed in comparison to that of freely adsorbed layer.

Applied Surface Science

Samples that jointed vertically displayed superior properties in comparison to that of jointed horizontally.

Construction and Building Materials

Yet, despite this example, Vividor says coverage of measures that could reduce natural disaster risk is very limited in comparison to that of the disasters themselves.

The Guardian

Over the years, Iraq's involvement in terrorism, while grotesque, fades in comparison to that of Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Bloomberg's fury "pales in comparison" to that of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who would threaten to "bury you," Mr. Wright said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in comparison to that of", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined and that the 'that of' refers directly back to the previously mentioned item to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in comparison to that of" when the reference for 'that' is ambiguous or unclear; this can lead to confusion. Make sure it's evident what you're comparing to what.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in comparison to that of" functions as a comparative conjunction. It connects two clauses, indicating that the second clause is being evaluated in relation to the first. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, from scientific studies to news articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in comparison to that of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative conjunction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively draws parallels or highlights differences between two elements. While versatile, it is most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a formal register. To enhance clarity, ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined. For more concise alternatives, consider "compared with that of" or "relative to that of", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with that of

A more concise phrasing that retains the comparative meaning.

in relation to that of

Focuses on the connection or association between the subjects being compared.

relative to that of

Emphasizes that the comparison is being made with respect to something else.

by comparison with that of

Highlights the act of comparing as the method of evaluation.

juxtaposed with that of

Suggests a side-by-side comparison, often to emphasize contrast.

set against that of

Implies that the comparison is being used to highlight differences.

when compared to that of

Adds a temporal element to the comparison, implying a specific moment or context.

in contrast to that of

Specifically emphasizes the differences between the subjects being compared.

considering that of

Takes into account certain characteristics, aspects, or contexts of something

unlike that of

Directly states that the subjects being compared are dissimilar.

FAQs

How can I use "in comparison to that of" in a sentence?

Use "in comparison to that of" to draw a parallel or highlight differences between two elements. For example: "The performance of the new engine is remarkable in comparison to that of the older model."

What's a more concise alternative to "in comparison to that of"?

Alternatives include "compared with that of" or "relative to that of", which can streamline your sentence while retaining the comparative meaning.

When is it best to use "in comparison to that of" over simpler phrases like "compared to"?

Use "in comparison to that of" when you need to explicitly refer back to a previously mentioned noun or concept, ensuring clarity and precision in your comparison.

Is there a difference in formality between "in comparison to" and "in comparison to that of"?

The phrase "in comparison to that of" tends to be more formal and is often used in academic or technical writing where precision is key, whereas "in comparison to" is more general and acceptable in most contexts.