juxtapose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "juxtapose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more different things in order to show how they are similar or different. For example: "The juxtaposition of the old school building and the modern skyscraper highlighted the contrast between the two architectural styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These shorts juxtapose the animal kingdom with our own animal instincts, and ask us to examine how deeply subliminal the latter can be in each of us.

The Guardian

Suicide bombings juxtapose these groups' disdain for life with their victims' supposed love of it.

The Economist

Shadi Ghadirian's "Nil Nil" (2008) series features still lifes that juxtapose combat boots with red stilettos, a grey helmet and a colourful head scarf, a grenade and a bowl of fruit.

The Economist

Though the film is divided into separate sections, the stories are interwoven both in the direction, with a character from one story walking through another's scene, and in the editing, in montage cuts that juxtapose different narrative threads.

The Economist

She still lives in the trailer next door.Why juxtapose the lives of a poor man in a rich country and a relatively well-off man in a poor one?

The Economist

Republican strategists around the country are surely eager to juxtapose clips of Barack Obama campaigning on promises to fix the VA with footage of patients committing suicide over delays in treatment and poor care (all collected on a useful map by the American Legion).

The Economist

The exhibition will juxtapose pictures of the statues of John Smith, the early English governor of Virginia, and Princess Pocahontas, who imprisoned him before she was converted to Christianity and taken to England.

The Economist

From an American perspective, one might juxtapose the killing with America's policy of targeted drone attacks.

The Economist

We need politicians, not non-politicians playing politician," he said.Rhetorically pro-European but hazy on specifics, Mr Fischer clearly seeks to juxtapose himself to Mr Zeman and Mr Klaus, whom he sees as cut from the same cloth.

The Economist

All of it adds to the sense of drama.The most successful passages juxtapose the personal and the political.

The Economist

This behaviour is important in electronic devices that juxtapose different materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "juxtapose" when you want to draw attention to the contrast or comparison between two distinct elements. It adds sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "juxtapose" when simply describing the arrangement of objects without the intent to highlight a comparison or contrast. Use a more general term like "place" or "arrange" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "juxtapose" functions primarily as a transitive verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of placing two or more things side by side, typically to highlight their differences or similarities. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "juxtapose" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that means to place items side by side for comparison or contrast. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and our analysis reveals its common usage in news, encyclopedias and formal writing. When writing, use "juxtapose" to encourage comparison of distinct elements, but avoid using it for mere placement. Alternatives like "contrast" or "compare" can be suitable depending on the nuances you wish to convey. Overall, "juxtapose" is a sophisticated term useful for analytical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set alongside

Indicates positioning for observation or comparison, similar to "juxtapose" but slightly more informal.

contrast

Implies a more direct comparison highlighting differences, rather than simply placing side by side.

compare

Focuses on identifying similarities and differences, which is a broader action than solely positioning for comparison.

present in parallel

Suggests items are shown concurrently, allowing viewers to make their own contrasts.

collocate

Refers to placing items together, often in a sequence or arrangement, with less emphasis on comparison.

position adjacently

Describes the act of placing elements next to each other, primarily emphasizing spatial relationship.

place in proximity

Highlights the physical closeness of items, without explicitly stating a comparison will be made.

draw a parallel

To compare two things and show their similarities.

put in opposition

Emphasizes conflicting aspects when putting items together, focusing on disagreement.

bring into contact

Highlights the meeting of different objects, but with no immediate association of comparison or contrast.

FAQs

How to use "juxtapose" in a sentence?

Use "juxtapose" to describe placing two or more things side by side, often to highlight their differences or similarities. For instance, "The artist decided to "juxtapose" the old and new buildings in the photograph."

What can I say instead of "juxtapose"?

You can use alternatives like "contrast", "compare", or "set alongside" depending on the context. Each carries slightly different nuances regarding the intent and method of comparison.

Is it correct to say "juxtapose with" or "juxtapose against"?

While "juxtapose" doesn't strictly require a preposition, it's common to use "juxtapose with" or "juxtapose against" to clarify the relationship between the items being compared. Both are acceptable, but "with" is slightly more neutral, while "against" emphasizes contrast.

What's the difference between "juxtapose" and "compare"?

"Compare" involves assessing similarities and differences between items, while ""juxtapose"" specifically refers to placing items side by side for the purpose of comparison or contrast. "Juxtapose" is a method, while "compare" is an action.