when comparing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when comparing" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used when you are looking at two or more items and examining the differences and similarities between them. For example: "When comparing our two sales strategies, it's clear that the second one is the much more successful of the two."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're meaningless when comparing different chips.

The New York Times - Tech

When comparing prices, be aware of add-ons.

The New York Times - Travel

When comparing both first teams, the truth becomes ever clearer.

The New York Times

When comparing Eqs.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This difference increases when comparing frequency curves.

Crime Science

You can see this when comparing Statwing with SPSS.

TechCrunch

So they have an advantage when comparing global visitors.

TechCrunch

a Statistical significance when comparing with TSB0 %G, b when comparing with TSB0.25 %G and c when comparing with TSB0.65 %G.

AMB Express

Nevertheless, embedding ADD patients is a limitation when comparing studies.

Health Economics Review

This causes problems especially when comparing between different models.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

When comparing the two groups, several significant differences were found.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when comparing" to introduce a clause that highlights similarities, differences, or both between two or more subjects.

Common error

Avoid incomplete comparisons. Always specify what you are comparing "A" to, rather than leaving the comparison open-ended or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when comparing" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies the condition or context in which a comparison is being made. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various academic, scientific, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when comparing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce comparative analyses. Ludwig confirms its high frequency across diverse domains, particularly in scientific, news, and formal contexts. Its function is to establish a context for assessing similarities and differences. Common errors involve dangling comparisons, highlighting the importance of specifying the subjects being compared. Consider alternative phrasing like "compared with" or "in comparison with" for nuanced expression. Ultimately, "when comparing" serves as a valuable tool for analytical writing and informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with

A more concise way of saying "when compared with", suitable for shorter sentences.

in comparison with

Replaces "when" with "in", slightly alters the sentence structure to emphasize the comparison itself.

by comparison to

Similar to "in comparison with", focuses on the act of comparing as a method.

on comparing

Less common but grammatically correct, emphasizes the action of comparison.

relative to

Suggests a benchmark or standard against which something is being compared.

evaluating

Similar to "assessing", but may involve a more detailed examination.

assessing

Focuses on the evaluation aspect of comparing, implying a judgment is being made.

weighing up

Implies a careful balancing of different aspects during the comparison.

considering

Broader than "comparing", encompassing all factors, not just similarities and differences.

in light of

Suggests comparing in the context of new information or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "when comparing" in a sentence?

Use "when comparing" to introduce a clause that presents a comparison. For example, "When comparing the two models, the second one appears more efficient."

What are some alternatives to "when comparing"?

Alternatives include "in comparison with", "compared with", or "relative to" depending on the context.

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

"When comparing" introduces a clause, while "compared to" is a prepositional phrase. Use the structure that best fits your sentence. For example, "When comparing apples and oranges, they have different nutritional profiles" versus "Apples, compared to oranges, have a different nutritional profile."

What is the difference between "when comparing" and "while comparing"?

"When comparing" suggests a single instance of comparison, whereas "while comparing" suggests a continuous or ongoing comparison process. Choose the phrase that best represents the timing of the action.