Which is correct: with or to

Question

Which one should I use when I want to say:

Compared 'to or with' previous studies.

Our results showed better blood flow compared to or with previous results.

Basically, I want to know when to use to or with. Is there a difference?

Thanks!

Tamguatlay · Accepted Answer

Our results showed better blood flow compared with previous results. (Use "with" to indicate difference.)

He compared her beauty to that of a rose. (Use "to" to indicate similarity.)

Anonymous · Answer

Got it. Thank you very much for your help!

Anonymous · Answer

What about in general how should I use compared to and compared with? I have seen many sentences.

For example: lets compare the people in the city of San Francisco 'with or to' the people in Los Angeles.

Does the same thing apply? Since we are comparing people so I should use to or what? Please advise so I can know how to use them.

Mister Micawber · Answer

H.W. Fowler:
'Compare', in the sense 'suggest or state a similarity', is regularly followed by 'to', not 'with'; in the sense 'examine or set forth the details of a supposed similarity or estimate its degree', it is regularly followed by 'with', not 'to'.
'He compared me to Demosthenes' means that he suggested that I was comparable to him or put me in the same class; 'He compared me with Demosthenes' means that he instituted a detailed comparison or pointed out where & how far I resembled or failed to resemble him.
'Compared with/to him, I am a bunger'-- this is a common sentence type iin which either sense is applicable.
After the intransitive verb ('A boiled mullet cannot compare with a baked one'), 'with' alone is possible.

Am Heritage Dict:
'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.' When 'compare' is used to mean 'to liken (one) with another', 'with' is traditionally held to be the correct preposition: 'That little bauble is not to be compared with (not to) this enormous jewel'. But 'to' is frequently used in this context and is not incorrect.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. This was very helpful! So the answer to the my population sentence above is I can use either 'with or to' depending on my intention. Right?

Thank you very much

Which is correct: with or to

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