not comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

'not comparable' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to situations or things that cannot be compared to one another. For example, you could say: "Their personal characteristics are not comparable - one is outgoing and friendly, while the other is shy and introverted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It compared measurements that were not comparable.

Independent

They are not comparable.

The New York Times - Sports

"Personalities are not comparable.

The Guardian

It's really not comparable.

The New York Times - Sports

The models are not comparable.

The New York Times - Sports

Other scores are not comparable.

Columbia University

"It's not comparable," he said.

The New York Times

However, the two numbers are not comparable.

The Economist

The two outbreaks are not comparable.

The New Yorker

The Palestinian situation is not comparable.

The New York Times

They're not comparable," Mr. Culbert said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not comparable" to clearly indicate that a direct comparison would be inaccurate or misleading due to fundamental differences in nature, context, or measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "not comparable" when differences are superficial or can be adjusted for. If a comparison is possible with adjustments or caveats, it's more accurate to acknowledge the differences and proceed with a qualified comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not comparable" functions as an adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the entities being referred to cannot be meaningfully compared. Ludwig shows this usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not comparable" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that serves to negate the possibility of a meaningful comparison between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase and is employed across various registers, but leans more towards neutral and formal contexts such as news, scientific, and academic writing. The sources in Ludwig underscore the importance of using this phrase judiciously, reserving it for instances where fundamental differences truly preclude valid comparisons. Utilizing alternatives like "dissimilar" or "unrelated" might be more appropriate when some level of comparison is still feasible. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. To avoid misapplication, remember that the existence of superficial differences does not automatically render items ""not comparable""; a qualified comparison might still be valid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not equivalent

This option underlines the lack of equivalence, highlighting the fundamental dissimilarity.

incommensurate

Highlights that items lack a common standard of measurement, making comparison difficult or impossible.

not analogous

This suggests that there is no similarity or analogy between the things being discussed.

dissimilar

This term simply emphasizes a lack of likeness, suggesting a difference without necessarily precluding comparison.

not parallel

This suggests that the things being discussed do not share corresponding characteristics or features.

unequal

Focuses on a difference in quantity, size, or value, implying that a direct comparison might be misleading.

not matched

This emphasizes the absence of a pairing or correspondence between the entities involved.

distinct

Stresses the clear and easily recognizable differences between items, making comparison less relevant.

unrelated

Indicates a lack of connection or association, suggesting that comparison is inappropriate.

different

A general term indicating that the things being compared are not the same.

FAQs

How can I use "not comparable" in a sentence?

You can use "not comparable" to state that two or more things should not be directly compared because they are too different. For example, "The data sets from the two studies are "not comparable" due to differing methodologies."

What's the difference between ""not comparable"" and "not similar"?

"Not similar" suggests some differences exist, but a comparison is still possible. "Not comparable" implies the differences are too significant to make a meaningful comparison.

What are some alternatives to saying ""not comparable""?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "dissimilar", "unrelated", or "incommensurate".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase ""not comparable""?

Use ""not comparable"" when the items or data sets being discussed have fundamental differences that make a direct comparison invalid or misleading. This could be due to variations in methodology, context, or measurement.