unfavourable comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfavourable comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where one thing is being compared negatively to another. Example: "The report made an unfavourable comparison between the two products, highlighting the shortcomings of the older model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Inverdale's comments, which included an unfavourable comparison with Maria Sharapova, resulted in more than 700 complaints to the BBC.

The Guardian

"That's something that is in the public interest and sounds like it should be reported without the unfavourable comparison to what was clearly a criminal act".

The Guardian

His books have generally received generous praise from critics, though his most recent novel about Henry James, Author, Author, suffered from inevitable and unfavourable comparison with Colm Toibin's The Master.

The Guardian - Books

However, Norton managed to depict the all-singing, all-dancing preppy boyfriend in such a way as to preclude anyone ever doing so again for fear of unfavourable comparison.

The Guardian - Film

Mensinck said there was "no way Queensland Nickel could continue to employ so many people without any support from the Queensland government", drawing an unfavourable comparison with the New South Wales government's support of steel producer BlueScope.

The Guardian

Mr Townsend draws an unfavourable comparison with the early days of the web.Even so, devising a website "was a relatively easy design challenge compared with this".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Iceland is facing some unfavourable comparisons.

The Guardian - Business

Some drew unfavourable comparisons with their own people and governments.

The Economist

He reportedly called the holy book of Islam "one-dimensional" and drew unfavourable comparisons with the "incredible stories" of the Old Testament.

The Guardian - Books

Those turning out for campaign meetings often say they are undecided and make unfavourable comparisons with the calibre of Republicans who canvassed for their support in the past.

The Guardian

Who would have thought the swashbuckling one-time Goldman Sachs chief would be suffering unfavourable comparisons with the dour Scottish solicitor running Britain's Treasury, Alistair Darling?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making an "unfavourable comparison", ensure you provide specific evidence or reasoning to support your negative assessment. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid making broad generalizations based on a single "unfavourable comparison". Consider multiple factors and perspectives before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfavourable comparison" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'draw an unfavourable comparison', 'make an unfavourable comparison'). As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates a negative assessment made by contrasting two or more subjects. Ludwig examples underscore its role in critiques and evaluations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfavourable comparison" is a noun phrase used to express a negative evaluation by contrasting two or more things, highlighting the shortcomings of one relative to the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in neutral to formal contexts such as news, media, and scientific writing. Usage tips suggest providing specific evidence to support negative assessments and avoiding overgeneralizations. Related phrases include "negative contrast" and "poor parallel".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical contrast

Emphasizes the critical or fault-finding nature of the comparison.

negative contrast

Replaces "comparison" with "contrast", emphasizing the act of setting two things against each other negatively.

unflattering analogy

Indicates the comparison is not complimentary or pleasing.

poor parallel

Substitutes "comparison" with "parallel", indicating a flawed or weak likeness.

uncomplimentary juxtaposition

Highlights the negative impact of placing things side by side.

detrimental assessment

Replaces "comparison" with "assessment", focusing on a negative evaluation.

negative appraisal

Focuses on the act of negatively judging something in relation to something else.

disadvantageous likeness

Emphasizes the negative outcome or consequence of the similarity being drawn.

adverse evaluation

Similar to negative appraisal, but suggests a more formal or official judgement.

deficient correlation

Indicates that the comparison reveals a lack or deficiency in the correlation between the items.

FAQs

How can I use "unfavourable comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "unfavourable comparison" to describe a situation where one thing is negatively compared to another. For example: "The study drew an "unfavourable comparison" between the old and new policies, highlighting the failures of the previous system."

What phrases are similar to "unfavourable comparison"?

Similar phrases include "negative contrast", "poor parallel", or "detrimental assessment". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to make an "unfavourable comparison"?

Yes, the term "unfavourable comparison" inherently implies a negative judgment. The purpose is often to highlight deficiencies or weaknesses in one subject relative to another.

What is the difference between "unfavourable comparison" and "critical analysis"?

While both involve evaluation, "unfavourable comparison" specifically involves contrasting two subjects to highlight the inferiority of one. "Critical analysis" is a broader term that encompasses various forms of evaluation, not necessarily involving direct comparison.