Dear Geist,
Is it better English to write “compared to” or “compared with”?
—Daiyu, Fredericton NB
Dear Daiyu,
The short answer is that usage guides prefer “compare to” when items or aspects are being compared mainly for similarities, and “compare with” when being considered for both similarities and differences. When differences are the focus, guides prefer “contrast.” For a longer answer, look up compare in any edition of Fowler’s Modern Usage for some surprising finer points, such as the preposition to use when compare is a transitive verb.
—The Editors
