in comparison with the past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in comparison with the past" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes, differences, or contrasts between the present and previous times. Example: "In comparison with the past, our current sales figures show significant improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Securing citizenship is expensive, both in comparison with the past and with the tariffs elsewhere.

The Economist

But in comparison with the past, it marks a bold step and could herald a far-reaching overhaul of the impoverished capital's cultural scene.

The Economist

The house price-to-income ratio, an indicator of housing affordability, and the "deposit gap", a similar measure, both remain incredibly high in comparison with the past few decades: Another assumption implicit in these sorts of criticisms of Generation Y is that the generation is generally worse at saving money, instead choosing to spend money on iPhones, holidays and lattes.

The Guardian

Within the EAFRD framework, strong attention is paid to the role played by co-operationq., so the related measure, reinforced and enlarged in comparison with the past and intended to stimulate innovation, is very complex and multi-purpose.

Agricultural and Food Economics

In comparison with the past definition, currently defined blocks were typically longer and encompassed more SDs.

BMC Genomics

In comparison with the past, future vaccination campaigns targeted at pregnant women will rely on more sound evidence on the safety of vaccine.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And, in comparison with the 2005 results, few people had extravagant expectations.

The New York Times

Even that grim figure paled in comparison with the 1,360 deaths recorded in 1929, a dark superlative not since matched.

The New York Times

Recent currency fluctuations on the rouble and the euro have affected the dollar take, especially in comparison with the last two instalments.

The Guardian - Film

Norman Marcus, a former counsel to the City Planning Department, who lives next door to the synagogue, allowed that the new proposal was modest in comparison with the 1983 version.

The New York Times

That is in keeping with historical growth going back to the 1940's, but disappointing in comparison with the 1980's, when, fueled by the athletic craze, shoe consumption jumped about 6percentt a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "compared to the past" or "in contrast to the past" for variety in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in comparison with the past" when the comparison is already implied. For example, instead of saying "Current trends are different in comparison with the past", consider simply saying "Current trends are different."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in comparison with the past" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb or clause by providing a temporal point of reference for comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in comparison with the past" is a grammatically sound and usable prepositional phrase that serves to draw a contrast or similarity between current and past states. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its utility in academic, scientific, and business contexts. While "in comparison with the past" is considered uncommon, alternatives like "compared to the past" offer similar meanings with slight differences in formality. Avoid using it redundantly and ensure clarity by specifying the aspect being compared. Its primary function is to provide context and facilitate evaluation over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to the past

Slightly more concise and direct, omitting "in" for a more streamlined feel.

in contrast to the past

Emphasizes the differences rather than a general comparison.

relative to past times

More formal and emphasizes a specific point of reference.

as opposed to the past

Highlights a distinct opposition between current and past situations.

when contrasted with the past

More verbose, explicitly stating the action of contrasting.

by comparison to what it used to be

More descriptive and emphasizes the change over time.

in relation to bygone eras

More literary and emphasizes the historical aspect.

considering previous times

Broader, simply suggesting consideration of past periods.

assessing against historical standards

Implies a formal evaluation using past benchmarks.

juxtaposed with former days

Highlights placing current events side-by-side with those of the past.

FAQs

How can I use "in comparison with the past" in a sentence?

You can use "in comparison with the past" to highlight differences or similarities between present and previous times. For instance: "In comparison with the past, our current technology allows for faster communication."

What are some alternatives to "in comparison with the past"?

Some alternatives include "compared to the past", "in contrast to the past", or "relative to past times", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in comparison with the past" and "compared to the past"?

While both phrases are similar, "compared to the past" is more concise and direct, whereas "in comparison with the past" can sound slightly more formal.

When is it best to use "in comparison with the past" over other similar phrases?

Use "in comparison with the past" when you want to explicitly draw a formal comparison between the present and previous times, especially in academic or professional contexts.