they were comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were comparable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing similarities or equivalences between two or more subjects or items. Example: "The two proposals were evaluated, and it was concluded that they were comparable in terms of cost and effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the MEPs observed in REM sleep displayed a different shape compared to wakefulness, they were comparable to the typical auditory-evoked potentials observed in REM sleep36.

Nature

Compared to soils and road dust along highways, concentrations in mosses were lower by a factor of ten, compared to grasses they were comparable or somewhat higher.

Atmospheric Environment

Theoretical and experimental neutron absorption test results were compared and the results have shown and that they were comparable with each other.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

The TAU and Intervention groups were compared on a range of demographic variables to ensure they were comparable.

BMC Psychiatry

Eligible patients who refused to participate (n = 3301) were slightly older (p = <0.001), but they were comparable on gender (p = 0.09) compared to participants.

BMC Public Health

Prior to concatenating the databases, rates of delirium and sepsis were compared between the two using chi-squared tests to ensure they were comparable.

Critical Care

We found that elav>Aβ 42arc flies have a much reduced anticipatory index as compared with the controls, and they were comparable to the non-anticipatory period-null mutants (per ) during the secondary LD cycles (Fig. 2Aiv,Biv,Civ,D).

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

He said they were comparable because they, too, had limited runs and mostly the same producers.

The New York Times

Why is the economy of South Korea 15 times as large as that of Ghana when they were comparable less than 40 years ago?

The New York Times - Arts

"Harvey was a shade stronger [Odile's peak winds were 125 mph vs. Harvey's 130 mph], but they were comparable," he said.

The Washington Post

However, their biomass-normalized degradation rate constants obtained in this study were significantly smaller than pure-culture studies, yet they were comparable to values reported for biofilm systems.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing two different things consider the usage of "they were comparable" to highlight their similarities, particularly when acknowledging potential differences.

Common error

Avoid using "they were comparable" when the differences are significant and outweigh the similarities. Ensure that the comparison is valid and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were comparable" functions as a comparative statement, indicating that two or more entities share similar characteristics or qualities. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to highlight similarities in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were comparable" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote similarity between two or more subjects. As determined by Ludwig AI, it serves to establish a connection or equivalence. Predominantly featured in scientific and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. Alternative phrases like "they were similar" or "they were alike" can be used for variety, but it's crucial to ensure the basis of comparison remains clear to avoid ambiguity. Avoid using the expression if the differences between two or more subjects are prevalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were similar

Focuses on the likeness between the subjects.

they were alike

Emphasizes the resemblance between the subjects.

they were equivalent

Highlights that the subjects have the same value or function.

they were on par

Suggests that the subjects are at the same level or standard.

they were of the same order

Indicates the subjects share a similar scale or magnitude.

they were analogous

Implies a similarity in some respects between otherwise different things.

they correlated

Highlights the relationship or connection between them.

they matched

Focuses on the correspondence or agreement between the subjects.

they were commensurate

Suggests that the subjects are proportional or corresponding in measure.

they approximated each other

Emphasizes that the subjects were close in value or characteristic, but not identical.

FAQs

How can I use "they were comparable" in a sentence?

You can use "they were comparable" to indicate similarity between two or more items. For example, "The results from both experiments "they were comparable"".

What are some alternatives to "they were comparable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they were similar", "they were alike", or "they were equivalent".

Is it always accurate to say "they were comparable"?

It's accurate when similarities are significant and relevant. If differences are substantial, other phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "they were comparable" and "they were identical"?

"They were comparable" suggests similarity, while "they were identical" means they are exactly the same. The first indicates likeness, the second indicates exact equivalence.