Comparison vs. Comparation: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 18, 2023
"Comparison" is a widely-used English term referring to the act of evaluating similarities and differences between two or more items. "Comparation" is generally considered an archaic or non-standard variant of "comparison" and is seldom used.

Key Differences
The term "Comparison" is commonly used in both everyday language and academic contexts to describe the act of comparing two or more things. "Comparation," on the other hand, is rarely used and is often regarded as an archaic or erroneous version of "comparison."

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
"Comparison" is standard in American and British English, used in legal documents, academic papers, and daily conversation. "Comparation" may be encountered in older texts or as a non-standard form, but it is not prevalent in contemporary usage.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
In grammatical terms, "comparison" refers to the syntactic and morphological ways in which adjectives and adverbs are modified to show differences in degree. "Comparation" doesn't carry such a specific grammatical role and is seldom, if ever, seen in modern grammar books.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Both words originate from Latin. "Comparison" comes from 'comparatio', while "Comparation" is a more direct transliteration of the Latin term. However, "comparison" has gained widespread acceptance, and "comparation" has fallen into disuse.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Grammatical Role
Used in describing grammatical constructs
No specific grammatical role

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison and Comparation Definitions
Comparison
The act of evaluating similarities and differences.
The comparison between the two cars revealed some key differences.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
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Comparation
An archaic variant of comparison.
Comparation is seldom used in modern English.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison
A rhetorical device in literature and speech.
The poet’s comparison of love to a rose was clichéd but effective.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Comparation
Sometimes used in older texts.
I found the word comparation in a 19th-century manuscript.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Comparation
Generally not used in modern grammatical discussions.
The term comparation is not mentioned in most contemporary grammar books.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
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Comparation
A non-standard form of comparison.
Comparation is not considered standard English.

Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison
The quality of being similar or equivalent; likeness
No comparison between the two books.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparation
Rarely seen in academic or legal contexts.
I wouldn't use comparation in an academic paper.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison
(Grammar) The modification or inflection of an adjective or adverb to denote the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, as in English, along with the equative degree in certain other languages, such as Irish Gaelic.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
The act of comparing or the state or process of being compared.
To bring a thing into comparison with another;
There is no comparison between them

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
An evaluation of the similarities and differences of one or more things relative to some other or each other.
He made a careful comparison of the available products before buying anything.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
With a negation, the state of being similar or alike.
There really is no comparison between the performance of today's computers and those of a decade ago.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
(grammar) A feature in the morphology or syntax of some languages whereby adjectives and adverbs are inflected to indicate the relative degree of the property they define exhibited by the word or phrase they modify or describe.
In English, adjectives and adverbs have three forms when making a comparison: the plain form "hot", the comparative form "hotter", and the superlative form "hottest".

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
(phrenology) The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.
As sharp legal practitioners, no class of human beings can bear comparison with them.
The miracles of our Lord and those of the Old Testament afford many interesting points of comparison.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
The state of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting of being compared; as, to bring a thing into comparison with another; there is no comparison between them.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
The modification, by inflection or otherwise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
A figure by which one person or thing is compared to another, or the two are considered with regard to some property or quality, which is common to them both; e.g., the lake sparkled like a jewel.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
Qualities that are comparable;
No comparison between the two books
Beyond compare

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 17, 2023
Comparison
A grammatical construct involving adjectives or adverbs.
In the comparison of small, smaller, and smallest, the word changes degree.

Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison
An assessment of relative value or quality.
Your comparison of the artworks was quite insightful.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Comparison
An examination of correspondences or contrasts.
The comparison of DNA sequences can be highly informative.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
FAQs
What does Comparison mean?
Comparison refers to the act of evaluating similarities and differences between things.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
What does Comparation mean?
Comparation is generally an archaic or non-standard variant of comparison.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Can I use Comparation in academic writing?
It's best to avoid it as it's considered non-standard.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Is Comparation a valid English word?
While it exists, it is considered non-standard and is rarely used.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Are the two words interchangeable?
No, "comparison" is the standard term, and "comparation" is rarely used.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
What is the grammatical role of Comparison?
It is used to describe constructs involving adjectives and adverbs changing in degree.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Can I use Comparison in academic writing?
Yes, "comparison" is standard in academic contexts.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Is Comparison used in legal contexts?
Yes, it is standard in both American and British legal contexts.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Does Comparation have a specific grammatical role?
No, it doesn't have a specific role in modern grammar.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
Is Comparation used in legal contexts?
No, it is not standard and is best avoided.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
Can Comparation be used in everyday speech?
It's best to avoid it in favor of "comparison," which is the accepted term.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Where does the word Comparison originate from?
It originates from the Latin word 'comparatio'.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
Where does the word Comparation originate from?
It is a direct transliteration from Latin.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
How frequent is the use of Comparation?
It is rarely used and is generally considered archaic.

Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
How frequent is the use of Comparison?
It is commonly used in a variety of contexts.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
