is barely comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is barely comparable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that two things are so different that they cannot be easily compared. Example: "The beauty of the sunset is barely comparable to the vibrant colors of a painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I would also add that the two are barely comparable.

The New York Times - Food

The overall IR for MSI in harness STBR are barely comparable with IR reported in the literature on TBR.

BMC Veterinary Research

Due to a major methodology discrepancy the results are barely comparable with the previous studies conducted in Poland, although it can be observed that indirect costs constitute a high fraction of the total costs regardless of the methodology used.

European Journal of Health Economics

The United States is barely even comparable to Europe in that it is a sovereign nation made up of many unified states as opposed to a consortium of countries with strong economic and political ties.

The New York Times

Through this lens, the Second Amendment is barely even comparable to the First Amendment in terms of what rights it enables.

Huffington Post

However, it is barely studied at present.

International Journal of Fatigue

He is barely communicative.

The New York Times - Sports

It is barely enough money.

The New York Times

The embodied energy used for the improvements is barely significant.

Energy and Buildings

The share is barely shrinking.

The Economist

The centromere is barely visible.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is barely comparable" when you want to emphasize that two things are so different that a direct comparison would be misleading or unhelpful. This can be useful in highlighting unique aspects or qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "is barely comparable" when a simple "is different from" or "is not similar to" suffices. This phrase implies some basis for comparison, however small, and using it when there is truly no connection can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is barely comparable" functions as a descriptive statement indicating a limited degree of similarity between two subjects. It sets a boundary on how much comparison is reasonable. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase suggests that a comparison is possible but not particularly meaningful.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is barely comparable" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that two entities possess minimal similarities, making a direct comparison somewhat inappropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with examples found in news, media, and scientific publications. While the phrase doesn't occur as frequently as simpler comparisons, understanding its proper usage allows for nuanced communication. It is crucial to use it correctly, avoiding overstatement when there is no valid basis for comparison at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hardly comparable

Emphasizes the difficulty in comparing due to significant differences.

is scarcely comparable

Highlights the minimal grounds for comparison.

is not easily comparable

Focuses on the effort required to make a comparison.

is almost incomparable

Stresses the near impossibility of a meaningful comparison.

is remotely comparable

Indicates a very weak or distant basis for comparison.

bears little comparison

Highlights the few similarities for comparison.

cannot be reasonably compared

Highlights the lack of fairness in comparing the items.

is unlike any other

Focuses on uniqueness and lack of comparable qualities.

defies comparison

Indicates that the subject is beyond the scope of comparison.

is worlds apart

Emphasizes a vast difference that makes comparison irrelevant.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is barely comparable"?

Use "is barely comparable" when you want to express that two things have very few similarities, making a direct comparison almost irrelevant but not entirely impossible.

What are some alternatives to saying "is barely comparable"?

You can use alternatives such as "is hardly comparable", "is scarcely comparable", or "is not easily comparable" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "is barely comparable" differ from "is incomparable"?

"Is barely comparable" suggests a slight connection exists, however weak, while "is incomparable" implies that no reasonable comparison can be made at all. There's no basis for comparison at all.

Can I use "is barely comparable" in formal writing?

Yes, "is barely comparable" is suitable for formal writing. The examples Ludwig provides demonstrate its use in reputable news and scientific publications.