Compared with or to

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#14207 Wed, 26 Nov 03 09:08 AM

Can you please tell me when to use compared with and when to use compared to?

Thank you

Guest

John C.

#14216 Wed, 26 Nov 03 10:20 AM

Oh! Oh! Pick me! I know!

Strictly speaking - as I learned the other day - an ordinary comparison should be "compared with".

"Compared to" is supposed to be used when you are suggesting that something (or someone) is comparable to something else; in the same class.

e.g. "He compared me to Hitler." = He said I was like Hitler.
but "He compared me with Hitler" = He examined my life and Hitler's to see how they compared.

Subtle, isn't it? Sadly, no one pays much attention to these fine distinctions anymore.

John.

John C.

Joined on Thu, Jun 5 2003

The Peoples Democratic Republic of Spam

Full Member (178)

dinosm

#14329 Fri, 28 Nov 03 01:44 AM

So, 'compared to' means something more like 'be similar to', while 'compare with' is an actual comparison being undertaken?

dinosm

Joined on Fri, Nov 28 2003

Manchester, U.K.

New Member (43)