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From: jcf@world.std.com (Joseph C Fineman)
Subject: Re: compared to...or...with?
Message-ID: <Drq4JM.55B@world.std.com>
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
References: <4nqi8m$jml@rigel.pixi.com>
Date: Mon, 20 May 1996 21:47:46 GMT
Lines: 35

"Joseph Hennessy, MD" <Tekmerion@MAILHOST.NET> writes:

>Is there a difference in the use of prepositions *to* and *with* in the 
>following example?

>The significance of physical strength pales in comparison to the 
>mechanical advantage of a fork lift. The significance of physical 
>strength pales in comparison with the mechanical advantage of a fork 
>lift.

>The distinction I *want* to make has to do with the sense of these two 
>prepositions: one (to) implies regard, the other (with) has a sense of 
>weight, of balance, of the tangible.

The traditional distinction is very different.  "Compare A with B"
properly means place them side by side & examine their similarities &
differences.  "Compare A to B" means state or insinuate that A is in
the same class with B; it is always tendentious in spirit.  In a
biography, you might compare the subject _with_ his father; in a
quarrel, with the intent of annoying someone who disliked his father,
you might compare him _to_ his father; viz. by saying "You're talking
just like your father".

According to that distinction, only "with" will do  in your example.

That said, I must note, sadly, that no one under 50 seems to have
heard of the distinction at all.  I am a copyeditor, and it is a great
rarity to see "compare with" in a MS.  Most people these days use "to"
in all senses.  I still enforce the distinctions, and some publishers
specify it, but I doubt of the authors know what to make of the
change.
-- 
        Joe Fineman             jcf@world.std.com
        495 Pleasant St., #1    (617) 324-6899
        Malden, MA 02148
