when comparing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when comparing to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more items. For example, "The new car has better fuel efficiency when comparing to the older model."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This difference is even higher when comparing to Eifel.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

When comparing to existing methods the conversion time is included in comparisons.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Finally, what are their satisfaction rating of our system when comparing to other input methods?

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Though medical manikin is the closest simulated environment when comparing to human, differences exist.

Robotics and Biomimetics

ECE is in the disadvantaged group when comparing to the 'formal education' in China.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

When comparing to Figure 7, the number of significant firings is also noteworthy.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Definitely, the noise content is reduced when comparing to the noisy speech signal in Figure 10b.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This causes different modeling issues to be discussed, when comparing to related literature.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Meanwhile, it also achieved a good performance when comparing to other patch-based urban CA models but with less uncertainty.

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

The final Ag-based porous foil shows good mechanical properties when comparing to its previous amorphous analogues.

Materials & Design

Good predictions with the model were obtained when comparing to bubble and dew points data from literature.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure a logical connection between the items being compared. The context should make it clear why these specific items are being evaluated against each other.

Common error

Avoid using "when comparing to" without a clear and explicit statement of what is being compared. Always ensure both subjects of comparison are present and defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when comparing to" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause that establishes a basis for comparison. Ludwig examples show its use in evaluating the relative merits or characteristics of different items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when comparing to" is a versatile phrase used to introduce comparisons in a wide range of contexts. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and primarily used in scientific and news media, offering a clear way to evaluate and contrast different subjects. It is important to clearly state both items being compared to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "in comparison with" or "compared with" for formal writing. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for analytical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with

Shorter, more direct way of indicating a comparison.

in comparison with

Formal alternative employing "with" for a slightly more structured comparison.

by comparison with

Similar to "in comparison with", but emphasizes the act of comparing.

relative to

Focuses on the proportional relationship rather than a direct comparison.

evaluating against

Focuses on judging the value or merit in relation to a standard.

assessing against

Implies a more structured or evaluative comparison.

in relation to

Emphasizes the connection or correspondence between the items being considered.

in contrast to

Highlights the differences rather than overall similarities.

as opposed to

Highlights the contrast or difference between the items.

versus

A concise term, often used in formal contexts or when presenting opposing viewpoints.

FAQs

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

Use "when comparing to" to introduce a comparison between two or more items. For example, "The new model performs better "when comparing to" the previous version."

What's a formal alternative to "when comparing to"?

In formal writing, consider using "in comparison with" or "compared with" as alternatives to "when comparing to". These phrases offer a slightly more structured tone.

How does "when comparing to" differ from "as opposed to"?

"When comparing to" generally introduces a comparison, while "as opposed to" emphasizes a contrast. Choose the phrase that best reflects the relationship you want to highlight.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state both items being compared when using "when comparing to"?

Yes, for clarity, it's best to state both items being compared. This prevents ambiguity and ensures your reader understands the basis of your comparison.