compare to or compare with

[vietnamese4u]

I'm really confused about when we use the word "compare" followed by "to" and when followed by "with" to liken between 2 things.As I searched on internet there are a lot of different ideas for this stuff but I want to hear the most correct grammar usage.

could you please explain to me? thanks a lot !

[MANH NGUYEN]

I'm really confused about when we use the word "compare" followed by "to" and when followed by "with" to liken between 2 things.As I searched on internet there are a lot of different ideas for this stuff but I want to hear the most correct grammar usage.

could you please explain to me? thanks a lot !

Please, read this:

Friday, September 15, 2006
Compare to vs Compare with
Compare to vs. Compare with

Compare to - is used to liken two things or to put them in the same category. You should use "compare to" when you intend to simply assert that two things are alike.Use "compared to" to illustrate that two things are similar

e.g -

1). The economy can be compared to a stallion charging at the gate.
2). I compare getting comments from students in class to pulling teeth.
3). She compared her work for women's rights to Susan B. Anthony's campaign for women's suffrage.

Compare with - is used to place two things side by side for the purpose of examining their similarities or differences. Use "compared with" to illustrate the differences a comparison draws

e.g -

1). The American economy can be compared with the European economy to note how military history impacts future economics.
2). It would be interesting to compare Purdue with Ohio State.
3). Ann has a 3.5 GPA, compared with Jim's 2.9.


Hope this would be helpful.

[truelove]

Thanks uncle Mạnh

[vietnamese4u]

yes, it's really helpful to me ! thanks again!

[Tanyenbai]

I would put things simpler:
person present singular com·pares)
1. transitive verb examine people or things for similarities: to examine two or more people or things in order to discover similarities and differences between them
2. transitive verb liken somebody or something to another: to consider or represent somebody or something as similar to another
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (William Shakespeare Sonnet 1564-1616)
3. intransitive verb be as good: to be equal or similar in quality or standing, especially to be as good as another
As an athlete she can compare with the best in the sport.

4. intransitive verb relate in particular way: to have a particular relationship with something or somebody else
Its performance compares badly with that of rival engines.

5. intransitive verb make comparison: to make a comparison between two or more people or things
6. transitive verb grammar give forms of adjective or adverb: to give the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of an adjective or adverb

Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Học thuộc lòng hai ví dụ của nghĩa 2 và 3, vào các trường hợp khác không bao giờ nhầm. Đó là cách học của người rừng Yên Bái

[vietnamese4u]

thank you người rừng
you helped me a lot

[Tanyenbai]

Because:
"You are the answer to my lonely prayer
You are an angle from above
I was so lonely till you CAME to me
with the wonder of your eyes"

"I don't know how I ever lived before
You are my life my destiny
Oh my darling I love you so
You mean everything to me"

Reaction of Forest man renders itself.

[vietnamese4u]

Oh, a new great poet of the world appearing! He can make the love poems not only in Vietnamese but also in English

You don't mind if I copy it and send to my love?

[rukkhamula]

From American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition:

Compare usually takes the preposition 'to' when it refers to the activity of describing the resemblances between unlike things:

He compared her to a summer day.
Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer.


It takes 'with' when it refers to the act of examining two like things in order to discern their similarities or differences:

The police compared the forged signature with the original.
The committee will have to compare the Senate's version of the bill with the version that was passed by the House.

But note that 'to/with' are often used interchangeably by some (or even many) native speakers, so the above guidelines may not apply in all cases. But they are a useful rule of thumb for foreign speakers.

[vietnamese4u]

Thank you very much ! your explain is very clear