was comparable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was comparable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things are similar or have a degree of equality in certain aspects. Example: "The performance of the new model was comparable to that of its predecessor, showcasing similar efficiency and reliability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effect was comparable to gaining 20 to 30 pounds.

The New York Times

"It was comparable to Forest Hills, but for less money".

The New York Times

Both had modest success, but neither was comparable to Netscape.

The New York Times

Mr Kirby told journalists it was comparable to Nazi Germany.

The Economist

I initially assumed the UK test was comparable to the one across the pond.

The Guardian - Opinion

Judge Mishler found a middle ground, ruling that the beating was comparable to voluntary manslaughter.

The New York Times

The success rate was comparable to cloning success rates for other species.

The New York Times

Moreover, the full program she announced was comparable to what she might have sung at 30.

The New York Times - Arts

Vallotigara said the effect was comparable to the apparent human preference for wider pupils.

The Guardian

The study said their hardness was comparable to normal teeth, enabling proper chewing.

The Guardian

On election day, Trump's favourable rating was comparable to Richard Nixon's in May 1974.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was comparable to", ensure the comparison is clear and specific. State the criteria on which the items are being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was comparable to" without specifying how the items are similar. For example, instead of saying "The speed was comparable to others", specify "The speed was comparable to others in terms of processing time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was comparable to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a degree of similarity or equivalence between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was comparable to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express similarity or equivalence between different subjects. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, especially within scientific and news-related domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the criteria on which the comparison is based. While highly similar to "was similar to", the former implies a stronger degree of likeness. Consider alternatives like "was equivalent to" or "was analogous to" for formal contexts or when greater precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was similar to

Replaces "comparable" with "similar", indicating a likeness but potentially less precise equivalence.

was equivalent to

Replaces "comparable" with "equivalent", suggesting a strict equality or interchangeability.

was analogous to

Substitutes "comparable" with "analogous", implying a similarity based on corresponding features or functions.

was on par with

Replaces the phrase with an idiom indicating equality in quality or performance.

was akin to

Replaces "comparable" with "akin", suggesting a similarity of kind or character.

equaled

Uses a single verb indicating that something matched something else in terms of a specific quality or quantity.

resembled

A verb indicating a similarity in appearance or qualities, without necessarily implying functional equivalence.

was commensurate with

Replaces "comparable" with "commensurate", indicating a proportional or corresponding relationship.

approximated

Indicates that something came close to matching something else without being exactly the same.

mirrored

Uses a verb to indicate that something closely reflected or resembled something else.

FAQs

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

Use "was comparable to" to indicate a similarity or equivalence between two or more things. For example: "The new software's performance /s/was+comparable+to that of the older version."

What's a formal alternative to "was comparable to"?

A more formal alternative is "/s/was+equivalent+to" or "/s/was+analogous+to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was comparable to" and "/s/was+similar+to"?

"Was comparable to" implies a closer degree of likeness than "was similar to". Comparable suggests items are nearly equal in a specific aspect, while similar suggests a general resemblance.

Is it always necessary to specify the basis of comparison when using "was comparable to"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the basis of comparison (e.g., "in price", "in size") enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation. If comparison criteria is too vague, consider rephrasing with alternatives like "/s/was+on+par+with" or "/s/equaled".