Which form is correct in English and why: "How does thing compare with other thing?" or "How does thing compare to other thing?"
2023-04-17
This is what goPenpal answered
This is a great question that often confuses many English learners. The correct form to use in most cases is "How does thing compare to other thing?"
The reason for this has to do with the structural relationship between the two items being compared. Think about it this way: when we compare two things, we are essentially saying that one item has certain qualities or characteristics that are similar to or different from those of the other item. In this scenario, the two items are not equal or identical, and we are looking to highlight their differences or similarities.
In this context, we use "to" to show a comparison between two elements or items. This is because "to" is used to show the movement towards a point, a goal or a comparison. We are comparing the qualities of one item to those of another one. For example: "How does this car compare to that one?"
On the other hand, we use "with" to draw attention to a similarity or equalitarian relationship between two items. We use it when we want to highlight the similarities or characteristics that two objects share. If, for example, you're comparing the taste of two different apples, you might use "with" to create a comparison: "How does this apple compare with that one in sweetness?"
To summarize, the correct form is "How does thing compare to other thing?" when pointing out differences and "How does thing compare with other thing?" when looking for similarities. Remember, choosing the right preposition is key for communication and accuracy in English.
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