Comparision vs. Comparison – Which is Correct?
“Comparison” is the correct spelling. “Comparision” is a common misspelling caused by inserting “-ision” instead of the correct “-ison” ending. Use “comparison” when discussing similarities and differences between people, objects, ideas, or options. Although the incorrect form may reflect pronunciation, it should not appear in polished writing or professional communication.
Comparision or Comparison – Which is Correct?
Comparison is the correct English spelling. Comparision is a misspelling and should not be used in formal, academic, business, or professional writing.
The error usually results from phonetic confusion. Because the ending of comparison may sound similar to “-ision” in words such as decision or division, writers sometimes insert an extra “i.” However, the correct ending is -ison: comparison.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “compare plus son” memory trick: compare + son = comparison. The word contains ison, not ision. You can also connect it with the related word compare: when you compare two things, you make a comparison.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparision | Noun; incorrect spelling | No standard meaning in English because it is a misspelling | Avoid writing “comparision” in edited text. |
| Comparison | Noun | An examination of two or more things to identify similarities and differences | The report includes a comparison of the two products. |
How to Use Comparison
Comparison is a noun that describes the act or result of examining two or more people, objects, ideas, experiences, or situations. It can focus on similarities, differences, advantages, disadvantages, quality, size, cost, performance, or other characteristics.
The word is common in everyday, academic, technical, commercial, and professional writing. It frequently appears with between when referring to two or more subjects and with of before the things being examined.
Example 1: The article provides a comparison between electric and gasoline-powered vehicles.
Example 2: A comparison of the two proposals shows that the second option is less expensive.
Example 3: The athlete’s performance invites comparison with last season’s record.
What are the different forms of comparison?
Comparison is a regular countable noun. Its singular form is comparison, and its plural form is comparisons. Common related forms include the verb compare, the adjective comparative, and the adverb comparatively.
Etymology of the word comparison
Comparison comes through Middle English and Old French from the Latin comparatio, meaning “a comparing” or “likeness.” It is related to the Latin verb comparare, meaning “to liken” or “to compare.” English spelling retains the -ison ending in comparison.
Related Concepts
Understanding related grammar and vocabulary concepts makes it easier to use comparison accurately and recognize why comparision is incorrect.
- Compare: Compare is the verb meaning to examine two or more things for similarities and differences. For example, “Researchers compared the results.”
- Comparative language: Comparative language describes differences in degree, amount, quality, or performance, often using words such as more, less, better, and worse.
- Contrast: Contrast focuses primarily on differences, whereas comparison can include both similarities and differences.
- Compound words and endings: English spelling often preserves historical word endings rather than matching pronunciation exactly. This is why comparison must be memorized with -ison.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct word comparison appears across many types of published and spoken communication:
A clear understanding of Compare vs. Contrast helps writers describe similarities and differences precisely.
- News reporting: A technology article may present a comparison of battery life, pricing, and performance across competing smartphones.
- Film criticism: A review may draw a comparison between a new movie and an earlier work by the same director.
- Literary analysis: An essay may offer a comparison of two characters to explain how they respond differently to conflict.
- Business writing: A purchasing report may include a comparison of suppliers, delivery times, warranties, and total costs.
- Everyday speech: Someone might say, “In comparison with last year, this winter has been unusually mild.”
Comparison Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Contrast | An examination that emphasizes differences between things. |
| Correspondence | A similarity or agreement between two things. |
| Parallel | A similarity or comparable feature between people, situations, or ideas. |
| Evaluation | An assessment of quality, value, effectiveness, or performance. |
| Analogy | A comparison used to explain how two different things are similar in a particular way. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “comparision” a word?
No. Comparision is a common misspelling of comparison. The standard English word is spelled with -ison, not -ision.
Question 2: Why do people spell comparison as comparision?
The mistake is usually caused by pronunciation and analogy with words ending in -ision, such as decision and revision. The correct spelling must be memorized as comparison.
Question 3: What is the plural of comparison?
The plural is comparisons. For example: “The report contains several comparisons of the available plans.”
Conclusion
Comparison is the only correct spelling for the noun meaning an examination of similarities and differences. Comparision is a misspelling and should be corrected whenever it appears in your writing. Pro Tip: Remember “compare plus son” to protect your accuracy and maintain a professional reputation.
