Compare To vs. Compare With – Which is Correct?

While both “compare to” and “compare with” are grammatically correct, they convey distinct meanings. “Compare to” is used to liken one thing to another, highlighting similarities, often for illustrative or poetic purposes. “Compare with” is used to examine two or more things to find both similarities and differences, typically for analysis or evaluation.

Compare To or Compare With – Which is Correct?

Both “compare to” and “compare with” are correct in American English, but their usage depends entirely on the intended meaning. The verb “compare” means to examine the characteristics of two or more things to identify their similarities and/or differences. The prepositions “to” and “with” then specify the nuance of that comparison.

Use compare to when you want to assert a similarity between two unlike things, often for rhetorical effect, analogy, or to show that one thing resembles another. Think of it as equating or likening.

Use compare with when you want to examine two or more items side-by-side to note their similarities and differences, usually with an intent to evaluate, judge, or analyze. Think of it as contrasting or scrutinizing.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A simple trick to remember the difference is to think of the “T” in “to” standing for “Tell a similarity” or “Think of as alike.” For “compare with,” think of the “W” in “with” as standing for “Weigh options” or “Work through differences.”

Another mental shortcut is to consider the purpose: if you are drawing a parallel or making a metaphor, use “compare to.” If you are conducting an analysis, evaluation, or a detailed examination of two or more things, use “compare with.”

Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Compare to	Verb phrase	To liken one thing to another; to point out similarities between dissimilar things.	She compared his anger to a raging storm.
Compare with	Verb phrase	To examine two or more things to note similarities and differences, often for evaluation.	The committee compared the new proposal with the previous one.

How to Use Compare To

“Compare to” is used when you want to highlight a resemblance, often for illustrative or poetic effect. It suggests that two things are similar in some way, even if they are fundamentally different. This usage is common in metaphors, similes, and analogies. It’s about drawing a parallel, not necessarily evaluating. The tone can range from formal to informal, depending on the context of the comparison.

Example 1: The poet compared her love to a red, red rose.

Example 2: He compared the bustling city streets to an anthill, always in motion.

Example 3: You can’t compare apples to oranges, they’re entirely different fruits.

What are the different forms of compare to?

“Compare to” is a verb phrase, and the verb “compare” itself conjugates like a regular verb. The preposition “to” remains constant.

• Present Tense: I compare to, you compare to, he/she/it compares to, we compare to, they compare to
• Past Tense: I compared to, you compared to, he/she/it compared to, we compared to, they compared to
• Future Tense: I will compare to, you will compare to, he/she/it will compare to, we will compare to, they will compare to
• Present Participle: comparing to
• Past Participle: compared to

Etymology of the word Compare

The word “compare” comes from the Old French comparer, meaning “to compare, to liken,” which itself is derived from the Latin comparare. Comparare means “to match, to couple, to put together,” from com (“with, together”) and par (“equal”). The evolution of the word reflects its core meaning of bringing things together to see their relationship, whether of likeness or difference.

How to Use Compare With

“Compare with” is used when you are examining two or more items to identify both their similarities and differences, typically for analysis, evaluation, or judgment. This usage implies a more detailed, side-by-side assessment. It’s about weighing options, assessing performance, or understanding distinctions. This is a common usage in academic, scientific, and business contexts where precision and objective analysis are key.

Example 1: We need to compare the new software update with the previous version to identify improvements.

Example 2: The economist compared the current market trends with those of a decade ago.

Example 3: Please compare your answers with the solution key to check for errors.

What are the different forms of compare with?

Similar to “compare to,” “compare with” is a verb phrase where “compare” is the conjugated verb and “with” is the constant preposition.

• Present Tense: I compare with, you compare with, he/she/it compares with, we compare with, they compare with
• Past Tense: I compared with, you compared with, he/she/it compared with, we compared with, they compared with
• Future Tense: I will compare with, you will compare with, he/she/it will compare with, we will compare with, they will compare with
• Present Participle: comparing with
• Past Participle: compared with

Etymology of the word Compare

As mentioned, “compare” traces its roots back to the Latin comparare. While the core verb remains the same, the choice of preposition (to or with) evolved in English to distinguish between two distinct types of comparison. This linguistic development allowed for greater precision in expressing whether one was drawing an analogy or conducting an analysis.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical and rhetorical concepts can further clarify the distinction between “compare to” and “compare with.”

• Prepositions: Prepositions like “to” and “with” are crucial in English for indicating relationships between words. A slight change in preposition can drastically alter a sentence’s meaning, as seen with “compare to” and “compare with.”
• Idiomatic Expressions: While not strictly idioms, “compare to” and “compare with” function almost as fixed expressions, each carrying a specific, nuanced meaning that is widely understood.
• Rhetorical Devices: “Compare to” is often employed in rhetorical devices such as similes and metaphors, where one thing is explicitly or implicitly likened to another for descriptive or persuasive effect.

Examples from Media and Literature

Observing these phrases in various contexts helps solidify their correct usage.

• In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, he asks, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Here, he is likening his beloved to a summer’s day, highlighting her beauty.
• A financial report might state, “The company’s Q1 earnings were compared with analyst expectations.” This indicates a detailed examination of actual results against predictions.
• A literary critic might write, “The author’s writing style can be compared to that of Hemingway – short, direct sentences.” This is an analogy, noting a similarity in style.
• During a product review, a tech journalist might say, “We compared the new smartphone’s camera with its closest competitor to assess performance differences.” This implies a feature-by-feature evaluation.
• A motivational speaker might urge, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” This advises against likening one’s nascent efforts to another’s advanced stage.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Many people have compared the human brain __________ a computer.
2. The scientist carefully compared the experimental results __________ the control group data.
3. How can you compare her artistic talent __________ his lack of effort?
4. Before making a purchase, it’s wise to compare prices __________ different retailers.
5. The speaker compared the challenges of entrepreneurship __________ climbing a mountain.

Answer Key

1. to
2. with
3. to
4. with
5. to

Compare Synonyms

Synonym (Compare To)	Definition
Liken	To point out the resemblance of (someone or something) to someone or something else.
Equate	To consider (one thing) to be the same as or equivalent to another.
Analogize	To draw an analogy or comparison.

Synonym (Compare With)	Definition
Contrast	To compare in such a way as to show differences.
Differentiate	To recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different.
Assess	To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of.
Weigh	To consider carefully the relative merits of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “compare” be used without “to” or “with”?
Yes, “compare” can sometimes be used alone, especially when the context makes the object of comparison clear. For instance, “When you compare, you’ll see the difference.” However, for clarity and precision, using “to” or “with” is generally preferred when specifying what is being compared.

Question 2: Is there a British English difference for “compare to” vs. “compare with”?
The distinction between “compare to” (liken) and “compare with” (examine for differences/similarities) is generally consistent across both American and British English. There isn’t a significant divergence in usage for this particular phrase.

Question 3: When should I use “in comparison to” or “in comparison with”?
The phrases “in comparison to” and “in comparison with” follow the same semantic rules as “compare to” and “compare with.” Use “in comparison to” when noting a similarity or analogy, and “in comparison with” when conducting a side-by-side analysis for evaluation.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “compare to” and “compare with” is a subtle yet significant step in refining your English proficiency. Remember that “compare to” is for drawing analogies and highlighting resemblances, often in a figurative sense, while “compare with” is for conducting a detailed examination of similarities and differences, typically for analytical purposes. A clear understanding of these nuances ensures your writing and speech are precise and impactful.

Pro Tip: Using these phrases correctly demonstrates a keen eye for detail and command of the English language, enhancing your professional reputation in any field. Misusing them can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or suggest a lack of precision.