when compared to

USAGE SUMMARY

"when compared to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English, and it can be used when making comparisons between two (or more) elements.
For example, "I find football more enjoyable when compared to basketball."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cobrançosa (7.3 ± 3.2) when compared to cvs.

Nature

That's even truer when compared to no treatment at all.

Harvard University

For what are we when compared to water?

The Guardian - Film

Cheap when compared to a million-plus Turner.

The Guardian - Arts

But when compared to Tennessee, that's about it for Cleveland.

The New York Times - Sports

(c,d) *p < 0.05 when compared to control cells.

Nature

Tg6F differentially regulated several genes when compared to no treatment.

Nature

Our results showed slight improvement when compared to previous studies.

Nature

(b,c) *p < 0.05 when compared to control cells.

Nature

(b) *p < 0.05 when compared to control cells.

Nature

(b,d) *p < 0.05 when compared to control cells.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when compared to" to clearly establish a basis for evaluation, ensuring the comparison's relevance is immediately apparent to the reader. For example, "The new model performs better, when compared to its predecessor."

Common error

Avoid stating "when compared to" without specifying what is being compared. Always ensure both elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of writing "Performance improved when compared to last year," specify "Performance improved this year, when compared to last year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when compared to" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a comparison. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and facilitates the evaluation of one element against another. It provides context for assessing similarities or differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when compared to" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to establish comparisons across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread, particularly within scientific, academic, and news media sources. The phrase serves to provide a clear basis for evaluation, setting the stage for discussing relative merits and deficiencies. While the register is generally neutral, it finds frequent application in both formal and informal writing, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with

A shorter, more concise way to express the same comparison.

in comparison with

Emphasizes a direct comparison, highlighting similarities and differences.

by comparison to

Highlights the act of comparing something to a reference point.

relative to

Focuses on assessing something in relation to another standard or factor.

in relation to

Suggests a broader connection or association while making a comparison.

assessed against

Highlights evaluation against a specific benchmark or criterion.

measured against

Implies using a defined standard to quantify the comparison.

juxtaposed with

Highlights placing two things side by side for contrasting effect.

set against

Suggests a contrasting or opposing view when making the comparison.

alongside

Implies a direct comparison with both elements considered equally.

FAQs

How can I use "when compared to" in a sentence?

Use "when compared to" to highlight differences or similarities between two subjects. For example: "Efficiency increased dramatically "when compared to" the previous method."

What are some alternatives to "when compared to"?

Alternatives include "in comparison with", "compared with", or "relative to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "compared to" or "when compared to"?

Both are correct, but "when compared to" can add emphasis on the context of the comparison, especially when clarifying the conditions under which the comparison is being made.

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

"When compared to" generally makes a direct comparison between two items, whereas "in contrast to" emphasizes a difference or opposition. For example, "Results improved "when compared to" the old system, but were still lacking in contrast to our goals."