is comparable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is comparable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to compare two things. Example: His dedication is comparable to a champion athlete.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her pay is comparable to that of earlier executive editors.

The New Yorker

"This is comparable to name calling," he said.

The New York Times

But none of that is comparable to human level intelligence.

The Guardian

His style is comparable to that of a collage artist.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is comparable to Cary Fukunaga's 2009 film Sin Nombre.

The Guardian - Film

Intelligence-gathering in Europe is comparable to the military situation.

The Guardian

It is comparable to a Duffing-Oscillator.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Table size is comparable to the Graham-Glanville code generator.

University of California, Berkeley

A UML model is comparable to a schema, or ontology.

Stanford University

The latency according to that is comparable to these numbers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is comparable to the value given for the model.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is comparable to" when highlighting notable similarities between distinct subjects, ensuring the comparison adds meaningful context or insight.

Common error

Avoid using "is comparable to" when the subjects share only superficial resemblances. Ensure the comparison is based on significant, relevant attributes, otherwise use a weaker qualifier such as "bears some resemblance to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is comparable to" serves as a linking verb phrase that introduces a comparison between two nouns or noun phrases. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in establishing similarities in qualities, quantities, or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is comparable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for drawing comparisons, as validated by Ludwig. It's prevalent across various domains, especially in science and news, indicating its versatility and usefulness in both technical and general contexts. While highly suitable for establishing similarities, it's important to avoid overstating the relationship between subjects. The phrase finds strong alternatives in expressions like "is similar to" or "is analogous to", offering writers a range of options to express varying degrees of likeness. Overall, "is comparable to" remains a reliable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is similar to

Focuses on general likeness rather than direct comparison.

is analogous to

Suggests a more complex relationship with shared attributes and a deeper connection.

is equivalent to

Implies near or total equality in value or function.

is on par with

Indicates a similarity in quality or status.

is akin to

Highlights a resemblance, often in a more subtle or abstract way.

is much like

Emphasizes the similarity directly, often used in informal contexts.

is of the same order as

Highlights quantitative likeness.

bears comparison with

Suggests the possibility of a fruitful comparison, but not a certain similarity.

approximates to

Focuses on a close but not exact equivalence.

is relatable to

Indicates that one thing can be understood in terms of another.

FAQs

How can I use "is comparable to" in a sentence?

Use "is comparable to" to draw a direct comparison between two distinct things. For instance, "The performance of this new engine is comparable to that of a race car."

What phrases can I use instead of "is comparable to"?

You can use alternatives like "is similar to", "is analogous to", or "is equivalent to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "is comparable to" and "is equal to"?

"Is comparable to" suggests similarity or likeness but not necessarily exact equivalence. "Is equal to" implies an exact match in value or measure.

Is it formal to use "is comparable to" in an academic context?

Yes, "is comparable to" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers and reports, because it is a clear and precise way to express similarity.