in comparison to which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in comparison to which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare two different things. For example, "This year's harvest was much smaller in comparison to which the harvest last year was a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Perhaps a spectre is being conjured up, in comparison to which another – voluntary – system somehow looks better?

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet most profiles of me run in the last few weeks have focused almost exclusively on what I eat, how often I eat, when I eat, how much I exercise, what kind of exercise I do, and exactly how many repetitions of those exercises I perform – in comparison to which the occasional diversions into how often I turn on the central heating qualify as merciful excursions into the profound.

The Guardian - Books

There he read Hilbert's Foundations of Geometry, a tour-de-force of the axiomatic method, in comparison to which Kant's "bondage to Euclidean geometry" now appeared to him naïve.

SEP

This judgment represents a particular instance of more general theories that attribute to males the strongest and most important qualities of mind, in comparison to which females are but paler counterparts.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Only in comparison to Skyfall, which grossed £10.45m in its third frame, does the Spectre number suffer.

The Guardian - Film

The scenes in Washington offered a sharp contrast to Trump's inauguration on Friday, when crowd sizes paled in comparison to those which turned out to see Barack Obama's inaugurations in 2009 and 2013.

The Guardian

Revenue from 3-D movies in North America fell 18 percent, partly because it suffered in comparison to 2011, which included unprecedented sales from "Avatar".

The New York Times

Compounds 1k and 1m were also found to significantly suppress TNF-α concentration to 70.10% and 68.43% in comparison to indomethacin which exhibited 66.45% suppression.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Intriguingly, there was a greater increase in [RXNO] following ingestion of BR in comparison to GEL, which may be a consequence of its higher polyphenol content.

Nitric Oxide

Modified surface offers reduction in friction coefficient and wear rate, by 26%and19%9%, respectively, in comparison to UHMWPE, which is encouraging towards the intended application.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

But west of Eighth Avenue and its subway line, he said, transportation becomes more of a problem, particularly in comparison to SoHo, which is almost completely ringed with underground trains.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in comparison to which" in formal writing where you want to draw a clear and direct comparison between two elements, particularly when the second element has already been introduced.

Common error

Avoid using "in comparison to which" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "compared to" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in comparison to which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It sets up a comparison between two elements, where "which" refers back to a previously mentioned noun or idea. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates the act of comparing something in relation to something else.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in comparison to which" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a relative clause that makes an explicit comparison. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, its relative infrequency suggests its suitability is limited to formal writing and analytical contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, the phrase typically appears in Science, News & Media, and encyclopedic domains. For less formal settings, alternatives like "compared to which" are often more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to which

A more concise and direct way to express the comparison, omitting "in".

in contrast to which

Highlights the differences rather than similarities, shifting the focus slightly.

relative to which

Emphasizes the relational aspect of the comparison, implying a specific standard or reference point.

by comparison to which

Adds a sense of active comparing, suggesting a deliberate act of assessment.

in relation to which

Focuses on the connection or link between the items being compared.

when compared to which

Introduces a temporal element to the comparison, implying a point in time.

as opposed to which

Strengthens the contrast between the items being compared, emphasizing opposition.

versus which

A more direct and confrontational way of expressing comparison, often used in competitive contexts.

juxtaposed with which

Highlights the act of placing two things side by side for comparison, often in an analytical context.

set against which

Implies a more forceful comparison, where one item is evaluated in opposition to another.

FAQs

How can I use "in comparison to which" in a sentence?

Use "in comparison to which" to compare something with something else previously mentioned. For example: "The new model is faster, in comparison to which the old one seems slow."

What are some alternatives to "in comparison to which"?

You can use alternatives like "compared to which", "in contrast to which", or "relative to which" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "in comparison to that" a suitable substitute for "in comparison to which"?

"In comparison to that" can work if "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned item. However, "in comparison to which" is more precise when the comparison is complex or requires explicit reference to the earlier element.

When is it best to use "in comparison to which" over simpler alternatives?

Use "in comparison to which" in formal or academic writing when you need to establish a clear and unambiguous relationship between two items or concepts already discussed. It adds a layer of precision that simpler alternatives might lack.