Understanding the subtle nuances of English grammar can significantly enhance your communication skills. One common area of confusion lies in the proper usage of “compare to” and “compare with.” While both phrases involve examining similarities and differences, they are not interchangeable. This article will delve into the distinctions between “compare to” and “compare with,” drawing upon insights from renowned style guides and usage dictionaries to clarify their appropriate contexts.
The Classic Distinction
Let’s begin with a foundational understanding from The Elements of Style, a highly respected guide to English writing. As stated in this classic text:
Compare. To compare to is to point out or imply resemblances, between objects regarded as essentially of different order; to compare with is mainly to point out differences, between objects regarded as essentially of the same order. Thus life has been compared to a pilgrimage, to a drama, to a battle; Congress may be compared with the British Parliament. Paris has been compared to ancient Athens; it may be compared with modern London. – The Elements of Style
This definition highlights a crucial difference based on the order or kind of objects being compared. “Compare to” is used when you are drawing a resemblance between fundamentally different things. Think of it as using a metaphor or simile – you’re highlighting a similarity that might not be immediately obvious due to the objects’ disparate nature. For instance, saying “Life is compared to a journey” uses “compare to” because life and a journey are different concepts, yet we can find similarities in their progression and experiences.
On the other hand, “compare with” is employed when examining items of the same order or kind. Here, the focus is on analyzing both differences and similarities between things that are inherently comparable. For example, “Comparing the US Congress with the British Parliament” utilizes “compare with” because both are legislative bodies, institutions of the same political order, and a meaningful comparison would involve exploring their structures, powers, and functions, noting both similarities and differences.
American Usage Perspective
Expanding on this, The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style by Bryan A. Garner provides a more contemporary American English perspective:
compare with; compare to. The usual phrase is compare with, which means “to place side by side, noting differences and similarities between” <let us compare his goals with his actual accomplishments>. Compare to = to observe or point only to likenesses between <the psychologist compared this action to Hinckley’s assassination attempt>. – The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style, Bryan A. Garner
Garner reinforces the idea that “compare with” is the more common and versatile choice, encompassing the act of juxtaposing items to analyze both their differences and similarities. He emphasizes “compare to” as being reserved for situations where the intention is to point out only likenesses. The example provided, “The psychologist compared this action to Hinckley’s assassination attempt,” illustrates this use. The psychologist is drawing a parallel based on a specific psychological pattern or motivation, focusing on a similarity in intent or action rather than a comprehensive comparison of the events themselves.
Evolving Usage and Caution
However, language is dynamic, and usage evolves over time. Good Grammar Made Easy by Martin Steinmann and Michael Reller acknowledges this fluidity and offers a more pragmatic view:
compare to, compare with Use of either is SAWE1 to mean either (a) “liken (something) to (something else)” (You can’t compare a Volkswagen to a [or with] Rolls-Royce) or (b) “observe similarities and differences between (something) and (something else)” (Comparing a Volkswagen to [or with] a Rolls-Royce, you notice a big difference in price). Caution: Many readers object to use of compare to to mean (b) and of compare with to mean (a). – Good Grammar Made Easy, Martin Steinmann and Michael Reller, p.79
Steinmann and Reller point out that in Standard American Written English (SAWE), both “compare to” and “compare with” are often used interchangeably to mean either to simply liken something to another or to observe both similarities and differences. Their example, “You can’t compare a Volkswagen to/with a Rolls-Royce,” and “Comparing a Volkswagen to/with a Rolls-Royce, you notice a big difference in price,” demonstrates this overlapping usage.
However, they also issue a crucial caution. Despite the evolving usage, many readers, particularly those with a more traditional understanding of grammar, still perceive a distinction. Using “compare to” when you intend to show both similarities and differences, or vice versa with “compare with,” might be considered incorrect or less precise by some.
Key Takeaways: Compare To vs. Compare With
To summarize, while contemporary usage may sometimes blur the lines, understanding the traditional distinctions between “compare to” and “compare with” is still valuable for precise and clear communication:
- Compare to: Primarily used to point out similarities or resemblances between things of a different order or kind. Think of metaphors and similes.
- Compare with: Typically used to analyze both similarities and differences between things of the same order or kind. This is often the more versatile and common choice for general comparison.
In practice, if you aim for clarity and want to avoid potential objections from sticklers for traditional grammar, consider the following:
- When highlighting only similarities, especially between different categories, “compare to” might be suitable.
- When analyzing both similarities and differences, particularly within the same category, “compare with” is generally the safer and more widely accepted option.
Ultimately, context is key. Paying attention to your intended meaning and your audience will help you make the most appropriate choice between “compare to” and “compare with.” By understanding these nuances, you can elevate your English writing and speaking to a higher level of precision and sophistication.
