comparison
/kəm'pærisn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act or process of examining two or more things to identify similarities and differences: "Comparison" refers to the deliberate evaluation of how items are alike or different.
- A statement or estimate of similarities and differences: "Comparison" can also be the result of this examination, often expressed as an analogy or a judgment.
- The quality of being similar or analogous enough to make comparison valid: "Comparison" can refer to the comparable qualities themselves that allow for such an evaluation.
Usage and Examples
General Use:
- A detailed comparison of the two proposals revealed significant differences in cost. (The act of examining the proposals.)
- The comparison between classical and modern architecture is fascinating. (A statement about their similarities and differences.)
- There is no comparison between fresh and canned vegetables. (The qualities are not similar enough for a fair evaluation.)
Common Patterns:
- make/draw a comparison: To actively perform or state a comparison.
- The study makes a comparison between urban and rural lifestyles.
- in comparison with/to: Used to introduce the second item being compared.
- This model is very efficient in comparison to the older one.
- by comparison: Used to indicate that something is being judged relative to something else.
- The second task was easier by comparison.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Beyond comparison: So excellent that nothing else is similar or equal.
- Her talent as a violinist is beyond comparison.
- Stand/bear comparison (with): To be good enough to be judged alongside something else without being inferior.
- Few modern novels can stand comparison with the classics.
- Invite comparison (with): To have qualities that naturally cause people to make a comparison.
- The director's latest film invites comparison with his earlier, groundbreaking work.
Variants and Related Words
- Compare (verb): To examine or represent two or more things to discover similarities and differences.
- We compared the features of several smartphones before buying one.
- Comparative (adjective): Measured or judged by comparing; relative.
- They lived in comparative comfort.
- Comparable (adjective): Able to be likened to another; similar.
- The two situations are not comparable.
Synonyms
- Analogy: A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
- Contrast: Emphasis on differences rather than similarities when comparing.
- Juxtaposition: The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- Pale in comparison (to/with): To seem much less serious, important, or impressive when compared with something else.
- My problems pale in comparison with the challenges she has faced.
- There's no comparison: Used to say that one thing is much better, worse, etc., than another.
- The original version is excellent; the remake is okay, but there's no comparison.
Noun
- qualities that are comparable
- no comparison between the two books
- beyond compare
- relation based on similarities and differences
- the act of examining resemblances
- they made a comparison of noise levels
- the fractions selected for comparison must require pupils to consider both numerator and denominator