incomparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incomparable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so unique or exceptional that it cannot be compared to anything else. Example: "Her talent for painting is truly incomparable; no one else in the class can create such stunning works of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even once it is agreed that good simpliciter is incomparable in this sense, many theories have been offered as to what that incomparability involves and why it exists.

SEP

While Bamber said it was just another version of the death penalty, three-time killer John Hilton said the two were incomparable.

The Guardian

Mauro Paulino, boss of Datafolha, a big polling company, says the way the campaign as a whole has unfurled is "incomparable".

The Economist

In short, the office is a don's delight, and Mr Moynihan large sherry glass in hand, jaunty bow-tie not quite matching the breast-pocket handkerchief suits it perfectly.In this section A new but risky sort of war To fight or not to fight Dial one yourself Incident at Rifle River The incomparable Daniel Patrick ReprintsBut what of the politics?

The Economist

At issue is whether to concede that Mr Prabhakaran, whose pudgy corpse was displayed for television cameras by the army and then burned, is really dead.On May 24th Selvarasa Pathmanathan, head of international relations for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), as the group are properly known, said its "incomparable leader and supreme commander" had been martyred.

The Economist

But the quality, content and economy of today's cars is incomparable with what was on offer 30 years ago.

The Economist

But it may not come fast enough to save what remains, in Michael Williams's phrase, of "the incomparable green mantle that clothes the Earth".

The Economist

He grew up in a broken home, helped to provide for his family by shining shoes and working on the docks, and attended New York's lowly City College.Related items Lexington: Filling Pat Moynihan's shoesJan 4th 2001 American politics: Mr SenatorAug 31st 2000 The incomparable Daniel PatrickDec 31st 1998His career was a testimony not just to character and brains, but to that past.

The Economist

James March (born c 1928) is the gurus' guru, a man who once came second in just such a poll to the incomparable Peter Drucker (Harvard Business Review, December 2003; see article).

The Economist

Eventually he quarrelled with nearly every one of his friends.Although he was a contemporary and unrelenting rival of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, Michelangelo is an incomparable figure among artists, in a rarefied league with Shakespeare and Mozart.

The Economist

He enriched an Arabic literature which, while perhaps incomparable for its poetry, was then still largely innocent of the fully formed imaginary world of the novel.Writing was a joy to him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incomparable" when you want to emphasize that something is so unique or exceptional that it cannot be fairly compared to anything else. It adds a strong sense of distinction and superiority.

Common error

Avoid using "incomparable" in situations where 'very good' or 'excellent' would suffice. Its strength lies in emphasizing unparalleled uniqueness, not just general quality. Reserve it for truly exceptional cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incomparable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is so exceptional or unique that it defies comparison. Ludwig shows that it is typically used to highlight the superior quality or unparalleled nature of the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incomparable" functions as an adjective to denote something so unique it resists comparison. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal, scientific, and news contexts. While semantically strong alternatives like "unrivaled" or "matchless" exist, "incomparable" is best reserved for genuinely exceptional cases. Ludwig AI confirms that it should not be overused in place of simpler adjectives like 'excellent'. Its primary purpose is to stress unparalleled qualities. Common sources include The Economist and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, attesting to its authoritative use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond compare

Directly states the inability to compare with anything else.

unrivaled

Emphasizes the lack of competition or peers.

matchless

Highlights the absence of an equal or similar counterpart.

peerless

Stresses the superiority and uniqueness.

unparalleled

Focuses on the lack of precedent or parallel.

unsurpassed

Highlights the unmatched level of achievement or quality.

unequaled

Indicates the absence of equality in terms of quality or merit.

second to none

Implies being the best in a particular category or field.

inimitable

Stresses the impossibility of imitation.

transcendent

Suggests exceeding ordinary limits.

FAQs

How can I use "incomparable" in a sentence?

Use "incomparable" to describe something that is so exceptional it cannot be compared to anything else. For instance, "Her artistic talent is truly "incomparable"."

What words can I use instead of "incomparable"?

Alternatives to "incomparable" include "unrivaled", "matchless", or "peerless", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something is 'very incomparable'?

No, it is not correct. "Incomparable" already implies the highest degree of uniqueness, so adding 'very' is redundant. Use "truly incomparable" instead.

What is the difference between "incomparable" and "incommensurable"?

"Incomparable" means something is so exceptional it can't be compared, while "incommensurable" refers to things that lack a common standard of measurement, often in abstract values or qualities.