Compared With vs. Compared To – Which is Correct?

While both “compared with” and “compared to” are grammatically correct, they serve distinct purposes. Use compared with when analyzing two or more items to highlight their similarities and differences. Use compared to when likening one thing to another, often metaphorically, to suggest a resemblance or analogy.

Compared With or Compared To – Which is Correct?

Both “compared with” and “compared to” are correct phrases in American English, but their appropriate usage depends entirely on the context and the meaning you wish to convey. The key distinction lies in whether you are undertaking an analytical comparison or making a metaphorical likeness.

You use compared with when you are examining two or more items to determine their similarities and differences. This implies a detailed analysis, often in a formal or academic context. Think of it as a direct, objective assessment side-by-side.

On the other hand, you use compared to when you are pointing out a resemblance or likening one thing to another, often poetically or metaphorically. It suggests that one item is similar to or can be described in terms of another, rather than being rigorously analyzed against it.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A powerful trick to remember the difference is to think of the prepositions themselves:

• “With” for “Within” an analysis: If you are looking within a group of items to analyze their attributes side-by-side (similarities and differences), use “compared with.” You’re comparing them with each other.
• “To” for “Towards” a likeness: If you are pointing towards a resemblance or drawing an analogy, use “compared to.” You’re saying one thing is like another, drawing a connection to it.

Consider this simple mnemonic: “With for Weighing (similarities/differences), To for Telling (a likeness).”

Word/Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
compared with	Prepositional Phrase	To examine two or more items to identify similarities and differences.	Her performance was compared with her previous record.
compared to	Prepositional Phrase	To liken one thing to another; to state or imply a resemblance.	He compared the lawyer’s argument to a finely tuned engine.

How to Use Compared With

The phrase “compared with” is typically used when you are undertaking a direct, analytical assessment of two or more items, people, or concepts. The goal is to bring out both their similarities and their differences. This usage is common in academic writing, scientific reports, business analyses, and any context where a factual, objective evaluation is required. It suggests a methodical examination, often leading to a conclusion about which is better, worse, or simply different.

Example 1: The new software’s efficiency was rigorously tested and compared with the previous version’s performance metrics.

Example 2: When compared with other cities of similar size, our city has a remarkably low crime rate.

Example 3: Investors often compare a company’s current earnings with its projected growth to make informed decisions.

Etymology of the word Compared With

The word “compare” itself comes from the Old French comparer, which means “to compare, to liken,” and ultimately from the Latin comparare, meaning “to pair, match, connect, bring together.” It is formed from com- (“with, together”) and par (“equal”). The addition of “with” emphasizes the act of bringing two or more things together for the purpose of direct, side-by-side examination of their attributes, highlighting both commonalities and distinctions. This usage has been standard in English for centuries, reflecting a need for precise analytical comparison.

How to Use Compared To

The phrase “compared to” is used when you are drawing an analogy or likening one thing to another, often to highlight a striking resemblance or to explain something abstract by relating it to something more concrete. This usage is less about a detailed, objective analysis of similarities and differences and more about creating a vivid image or understanding through metaphor. It’s frequently found in literary contexts, descriptive writing, or everyday speech when expressing a subjective connection.

Example 1: The poet compared her love to a red, red rose, emphasizing its beauty and passion.

Example 2: Many students compare learning a new language to climbing a mountain, a challenging but rewarding endeavor.

Example 3: The coach compared the team’s relentless effort to a relentless tide, steadily pushing forward.

Etymology of the word Compared To

As with “compared with,” the root of “compare” traces back to the Latin comparare, meaning “to pair, match, bring together.” The use of the preposition “to” in this context evolved to signify the act of drawing a parallel or establishing a likeness between two distinct entities. This construction implies a movement “towards” an analogy, where one item is presented as being similar “to” another. While the core meaning of “compare” involves bringing things together, “to” specifically directs that comparison toward establishing a resemblance or metaphor, rather than a detailed analytical evaluation.

Related Concepts

Understanding the broader grammatical and semantic concepts related to prepositions and nuanced language can further clarify the distinction between “compared with” and “compared to.”

• Prepositions: These are words (like ‘with’ and ‘to’) that link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence, indicating relationships of direction, time, place, manner, cause, or, in this case, comparison. The choice of preposition significantly alters the meaning of the phrase.
• Figurative Language: This encompasses metaphors, similes, and analogies, which are often at play when “compared to” is used. Figurative language involves using words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation, creating a more vivid or impactful description.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.” – William Shakespeare, As You Like It (Here, life is compared to a stage, illustrating a metaphor.)
• “The economic growth of the past decade, when compared with the stagnant periods of the 1970s, shows a marked improvement in GDP and employment rates.” – A recent economic analysis in The Wall Street Journal.
• “Her voice, when she sang, was often compared to the clear, sweet notes of a nightingale.” – From a biographical novel about a singer.
• “The new policy’s projected impact on small businesses was carefully weighed and compared with the existing regulations.” – A government report on legislative changes.
• “Many modern critics have compared her writing style to that of Virginia Woolf, noting the stream-of-consciousness technique.” – A literary review.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The cost of living in London, when __________ New York, is surprisingly similar in many aspects.
2. She __________ her heartbreak __________ a storm, violent and overwhelming.
3. The athlete’s speed, __________ his competitors, was unparalleled.
4. A good leader is often __________ a shepherd, guiding their flock safely.
5. When __________ last year’s sales, this quarter shows a significant increase.

Answer Key

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

Compared With Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
contrasted with	Examined to highlight differences, often in opposition.
analyzed against	Examined methodically in relation to something else for evaluation.
weighed against	Evaluated in opposition to or in relation to another factor.

Compared To Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
likened to	Declared or implied to be similar; represented as resembling.
equated with	Regarded or treated as the same in meaning, value, or effect.
analogized with	Drew an analogy or comparison between things that have similar features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “compare with” always about differences, or can it include similarities?
“Compared with” is used for analyzing both similarities and differences. Its purpose is a comprehensive, analytical evaluation of multiple items side-by-side, considering all their attributes.

Question 2: Can “compared to” ever be used for differences?
Generally, no. “Compared to” is almost exclusively used for likening one thing to another, drawing an analogy, or stating a resemblance. Using it to highlight differences would be incorrect and confusing.

Question 3: Which phrase is more formal?
While both are grammatically correct and standard, “compared with” often appears in more formal, academic, or analytical contexts due to its emphasis on detailed evaluation. “Compared to” can appear in both formal and informal settings, especially when used for descriptive or figurative language.

Conclusion

The distinction between “compared with” and “compared to” is a subtle yet significant aspect of precise English usage. Remember to use “compared with” for analytical evaluations that examine both similarities and differences, and “compared to” when drawing analogies or highlighting resemblances. Mastering this nuance enhances clarity and ensures your communication is always accurate and effective. Pro Tip: Incorrect usage can subtly undermine your credibility, especially in professional or academic writing, so always pause to consider your intent when choosing between these two phrases.