comare to or compare with............which one is right?

Question

i want to know that which one of the following is grammatically correct.................

Don't compare yourself with anybody else.

Don't compare yourself to anybody else.

...............pls explain the reason behind the correct answer

LearningNerd · Accepted Answer

I think "compare to" is correct. I'm not sure what the actual reason is, though -- or at least I'm not sure how to explain it. Let's just say it's an English expression, and it doesn't need a reason.

"Compare with" is used somewhat often, but it's generally not accepted as correct.

LanguageLover · Answer

Well, if you are talking about the differences and similarities of people or things, both with and to are used. However, if you want to say that something ar a person is like another thing or person, the correct usage is to: I can only compare the experience to falling in love. (Cobuild). And there are a couple of contexts in which only with is used (extracted from the cobuild again):

3 If one thing compares favourably with another, it is better than the other thing. If it compares unfavourably, it is worse than the other thing.

Our road safety record compares favourably with that of other European countries...

How do the two techniques compare in terms of application?

V-RECIP: V adv with n, pl-n V adv

4 If you say that something does not compare with something else, you mean that it is much worse.

The flowers here do not compare with those at home...

But back to your sentence, I think if the speaker means that the listener doen't have to compare his/her talents, skills, characteristics,... to/with anybody else to see how different or how similar they are, both are correct. But if it is used to say that the listener is worse than anybody else, with should be used (the context and the tone would determine if this is the case.)

Hope that it helps.

LearningNerd · Answer

Ah, I had completely forgotten about those kinds of uses! Thanks for the info -- I learned something new. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

LanguageLover · Answer

Well, it happens to all of us. I cannot believe how much I have forgotten! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/3.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/3.gif' alt='Emotion: surprise'/>

Anonymous · Answer

i was the one who asked this question and i read ur reply .i think using "compare......to" will be more correct because here 'to' points out to that person with which comparison is being made.

thx for ur suggestion ,i think it will help .

comare to or compare with............which one is right?

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