"Compared to" vs "Compared with"

Question

Manhattan Prep says this-
Note that "compared to" and "compared with" are equivalent idioms from the point of view of the GMAT; either is correct. This split is merely an attempt to get us to waste time. According to some usage experts, these two idioms differ slightly in their emphasis on similarities vs. differences, but this distinction is not universally respected.

Is this true?
Experts  GMATNinja   souvik101990  please help.

Harsh raw · Answer

please clear this discrepancy

sayantanc2k · Answer

The above is absolutely correct - Manhattan SC guide is a very dependable source.

Abhishek009 · Answer

Compared with  is usually referring to two objects of similar classification, within this similar order, the  user is speaking of the differences between the two objects  of comparison.

Compared to  is referring to two items in different classifications ,in these differing classifications, the  user is pointing out similarities between the two seemingly unrelated objects.

Madhuri6 · Answer

Please confirm the use of - compared to and compared with

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi Madhuri, as the discussion above suggests, you will be well advised to  not  attempt to do any split based upon  compared to  vs  compared with .

Radheya · Answer

What about "When compared with / When compared to"? I have seen many people debating on the usage of these two idioms and I still don't have a clear answer. Can someone help with these?

kinshuk97gupta · Answer

I can't find any concrete difference between "compared to" and "compared with". Experts kindly differentiate between the two.

jenniferlopez8255 · Answer

The prepositions "compared to" and "compared with" are both used to compare two things. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage.

Compared to is typically used when the two things being compared are similar in some way, but different in others. For example, you might say "The new car is much more expensive compared to the old one." In this sentence, the new car and the old car are both cars, but they are different in terms of their price.
Compared with is typically used when the two things being compared are very different from each other. For example, you might say "The new car is much more expensive compared with the bicycle." In this sentence, the new car and the bicycle are very different things, so it is more natural to use "compared with".
In general, it is best to use "compared to" when the two things being compared are similar in some way, and "compared with" when the two things being compared are very different from each other. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and sometimes it is possible to use either preposition interchangeably.

Here are some examples of how to use "compared to" and "compared with":

Compared to the old car, the new one is much more expensive.
Compared with the bicycle, the new car is much more expensive.
The new design is much more modern compared to the old one.
The company's values are much more aligned with those of its competitors compared to a few years ago.
The two cultures are very different compared to each other.
It is important to note that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between "compared to" and "compared with". The best way to choose is to consider the context and meaning of the sentence.

ArunBishnoi · Answer

you have reversed the entire concept and have given wrong examples

COMPARED WITH is used to compare similar items
COMPARED TO is used to compare two dissimilar items

UK770 · Answer

Compared with is for objects with similar classification
Compared to is for objects with different classifications

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GMThntr · Answer

As many says above, there is difference between them. Use "with" with similar objects, "to" with differnt objects

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muskanrajyan5 · Answer

Hey guys! 
Let's clear the difference between "compared with" and "compared to"

compared with  - used to compare similar things 
 eg. Compared with her mother, Susan is taller.

compared to  - used to compare dissimilar things 
 eg. Compared to the pillar, Susan is shorter.

I hope this clears up the confusion.
All the best!

"Compared to" vs "Compared with"

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