to be comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be comparable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the similarities or equivalences between two or more items, concepts, or situations. Example: "The two products are designed to be comparable in terms of performance and price."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, he said, the routes would have to be identical for records to be comparable.

The New York Times - Sports

Researchers said they intentionally shaped survey questions to be comparable to survey data regarding the broader US public.

The Guardian

But it's still less expensive than any comparable machine, if indeed anything can be said to be comparable.

The New York Times - Tech

"I don't think anything Yahoo puts out there is going to be comparable with what Microsoft was offering".

The New York Times

What's more, these data need to be comparable and consistent across the country and across different agencies involved.

The Guardian - Opinion

His contract at South Carolina is expected to be comparable to the $750,000 he made with the Deacons.

The New York Times - Sports

At this point, survival rates for all seem to be comparable but full scientific evaluation is lacking.

The New York Times - Health

Rental fees are expected to be comparable to those charged by rivals like iTunes.

The New York Times - Tech

Pricing has not been announced, but expect it to be comparable to the competition.

The New York Times

"We need the score to be comparable to the other students'.

The New York Times

Reported data is in purchasing power parity units in order to be comparable across countries.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be comparable", ensure that the basis for comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the criteria or characteristics that are being compared.

Common error

Do not use "to be comparable" without specifying what aspects are being compared. For example, instead of saying "The results are comparable", state "The results are comparable in terms of accuracy and precision."

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to be comparable" functions as a predicate complement, typically following a linking verb (e.g., is, seems, appears) to describe or characterize a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses a state of similarity that allows for meaningful comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be comparable" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating that two or more items share enough qualities to allow for meaningful comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It appears predominantly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the basis of comparison is explicitly stated to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "to be similar" or "to be equivalent" can be employed depending on the desired nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "to be comparable" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be similar

Focuses on a general likeness without necessarily implying an exact correspondence.

to be alike

A more general term for resemblance, without specifying the degree.

to be equivalent

Suggests a functional or quantitative equality between two things.

to be analogous

Implies a similarity in some respects, especially in position or function.

to bear comparison

Emphasizes the ability to be compared without necessarily being equal.

to be commensurate

Indicates that two things are in proportion or correspond in size or degree.

to be on par

Implies a level of equality in terms of quality or status.

to be matching

Suggests a direct correspondence or pairing, often in terms of design or color.

to be on a similar level

Highlights a similarity in terms of hierarchy or attainment.

to be of the same order

Suggests a similar magnitude or scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be comparable" to indicate that two or more items, concepts, or datasets can be usefully compared, often implying that they share enough similarities for the comparison to be meaningful. For example, "The new model's performance is expected to be comparable to the existing standard".

What are some alternatives to using "to be comparable"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "to be comparable" include "to be similar", "to be equivalent", or "to be analogous".

Is it correct to say "comparable to" or "comparable with"?

"Comparable to" and "comparable with" are both acceptable, but "comparable to" is generally more common. Choose the one that sounds more natural in your specific context.

How does "to be comparable" differ from "to be identical"?

"To be comparable" suggests that items have enough similarities to warrant comparison, while "to be identical" implies that the items are exactly the same in all respects. Comparability allows for some differences; identity does not.