it bears no comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it bears no comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is so different or superior that it cannot be compared to another thing. Example: "The beauty of the sunset over the ocean is breathtaking; it bears no comparison to the view from the city skyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

China is rising, but with its low economic output per head, it bears no comparison to Germany at the end of the 19th century.Mr Nye warns against complacency.

The Economist

But for Robin Hull, it bears no comparison to some of the terrifying experiences life has thrown at him.

Independent

Second, whatever the failings of Iraq's democracy, it bears no comparison to the regime that other hostile elements would impose.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Israel objected to inclusion of female genetic mutilation in the resolution, saying it bore no comparison with the ritual circumcision of boys.

The Guardian

There bears no comparison," adds Mr Farage.

Independent

Registration, in short, bears no comparison to the rigorous world of health-care certification".

The New York Times

Bad Vibes bears no comparison with, for instance, John Harris's rigorous and even-handed history, The Last Party: Britpop, Blair and the Demise of English Rock.

The Guardian - Books

The funding, too, bears no comparison: the Pakistan Cricket Board's annual budget comes in at Rs7billion (£49m), while only Rs150million (£1m) is allocated to the PHF.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, the film bears no comparison to that other infamous serial killer tale: Greg McLean's 2005 splatterfest Wolf Creek, partly inspired by the story of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat.

The Guardian - Film

And the image of Barack Obama crying while delivering yet another press conference about yet another mass shooting bears no comparison to any other emotional episode.

The Guardian

But, in at least one respect, they bear no comparison.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it bears no comparison" to emphatically state that two things are so different that comparing them is irrelevant or misleading. This phrase is most effective when you want to highlight a significant disparity.

Common error

Ensure you're using "bears" in the context of "bearing" a quality or relationship. Avoid confusing it with other uses of "bear", such as the animal or the verb meaning to carry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it bears no comparison" functions as an emphatic statement asserting that two subjects are so dissimilar that comparing them is irrelevant or misleading. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s a way to highlight a significant difference. The examples from news media demonstrate this use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it bears no comparison" is used to emphatically state that two subjects are so fundamentally different that a comparison is irrelevant or misleading. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to highlight significant disparities rather than offer a balanced assessment. While grammatically sound and widely understood, remember to use it when you intend to emphasize a substantial difference, ensuring you're bearing a relevant quality, and avoid confusing it with other uses of the word "bear".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is incomparable

Direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of basis for comparison.

it is beyond compare

Highlights the superiority of one thing over another, implying a significant difference in quality.

there's no comparison

A more informal way to state that something is far superior or different.

it cannot be compared

A straightforward and neutral way of saying that two things are too different to be assessed against each other.

it pales in comparison

Emphasizes the inferiority of one thing when contrasted with another.

it doesn't hold a candle to

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is much worse than something else.

it's in a league of its own

Suggests that something is so exceptional that it's in a separate category.

it stands alone

Implies uniqueness and the absence of anything similar.

it has no equal

Asserts that something is unmatched in terms of quality or status.

it defies comparison

Indicates that something is so unique that it's impossible to find a basis for comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "it bears no comparison" in a sentence?

Use "it bears no comparison" to emphasize that something is so different or superior to something else that a direct comparison is not meaningful. For example: "The scale of the universe "it bears no comparison" to anything we experience on Earth."

What are some alternatives to "it bears no comparison"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is incomparable", "it is beyond compare", or "there is no comparison". These phrases all convey a similar sense of vast difference or superiority.

When is it appropriate to use "it bears no comparison"?

It is appropriate when you want to strongly assert that two things are not comparable due to significant differences in quality, scale, or nature. It's suitable for contexts where a simple comparison would be inadequate or misleading.

Is "it bears no comparison" a formal or informal expression?

"It bears no comparison" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more casual alternatives like "it doesn't hold a candle to" might be more appropriate for informal settings.