to contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

"to contrast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two or more things in order to show how they are different. For example: "The day was sunny and bright, in stark contrast to the previous day's rain and gloom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The garments need to contrast," advises Watkins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are intended to contrast with and enliven their surroundings.

The New York Times

It sharpened my ideas to contrast them with Buddhist beliefs.

The New York Times - Health

Is that too gauche to contrast with winning in sports?

The New York Times - Sports

Serve chilled, to contrast the warm spiced pumpkin to follow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be sure, it is unfair to contrast both fruits.

The Economist

Closely related to contrast ratio is black level.

The New York Times - Tech

Then, on to the wineries to contrast and compare armadas of merlots.

The New York Times

The "open" tag is a story to contrast Android with iOS and Microsoft's offerings.

The Guardian - Tech

The campaign's emerging message is to contrast Clinton "the talker" with Dole "the doer".

The New Yorker

He will also use his speech to contrast his beliefs with Cameron's "chameleon" qualities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to contrast", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "To contrast, the second method…", specify "To contrast method A with method B, the second method…"

Common error

Avoid using "to contrast" when you actually intend to show similarity. Ensure that the elements you are comparing are truly different in the aspect you're highlighting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to contrast" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, often introducing a comparison to highlight differences between two or more subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to contrast" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to highlight differences between two or more subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its function is primarily as an infinitive of purpose, and it sees frequent use in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Remember to be clear about what you are contrasting and avoid using it when you mean to show similarity. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig underscore its widespread applicability and usefulness in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to compare

This alternative focuses on the act of finding similarities and differences, rather than highlighting differences specifically.

to differentiate

This alternative emphasizes distinguishing between two or more items.

to distinguish

This alternative highlights the act of recognizing clear differences.

to set apart

This alternative suggests creating a distinction or making something unique.

to compare and contrast

This alternative explicitly states the dual action of finding both similarities and differences.

to draw a distinction

This alternative emphasizes creating a clear separation between items.

to highlight differences

This alternative directly indicates the intention to emphasize dissimilar aspects.

to point out differences

This alternative focuses on the act of noting and indicating dissimilar aspects.

to bring into relief

This alternative suggests making differences more noticeable.

to juxtapose

This alternative suggests placing items side by side to emphasize differences.

FAQs

How can I use "to contrast" in a sentence?

You can use "to contrast" to introduce a difference between two things. For instance, "To contrast, the red dress is bold, while the blue dress is subtle."

What phrases are similar to "to contrast"?

Similar phrases include "to compare", "to differentiate", and "to distinguish", which all involve highlighting differences or similarities.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what you are contrasting when using "to contrast"?

While not always grammatically required, explicitly stating what you are contrasting improves clarity. For example, "To contrast A with B" is clearer than simply "To contrast".

What's the difference between "to contrast" and "in contrast"?

"To contrast" is an infinitive form used to express the intention to compare differences. "In contrast" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a statement that differs from a previous one. For example, "We use one method to build a house, "in contrast, they used another"" versus "We use this design "to contrast it with the previous one"."