Compared to means in comparison with. It names what you're comparing something with: Compared to London, Manchester is quite cheap. It can go at the start or end of a sentence and works in both conversation and essays. Compared with means the same.
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Compared to/with + noun, + clause; clause + compared to/with + noun; adjective + compared to + noun; comparative + than + noun
- Compared to my last job, this one is less stressful but pays a bit less.
- Train tickets in Spain are fairly cheap compared to the UK.
- In 2020, only 15% of purchases were made online, compared to 40% in 2024.
What changed
First versionComparing to last year, the number of tourists has doubled.
RevisionCompared to last year, the number of tourists has doubled.
Comparing to can look like the natural form, but then it sounds as if the number of tourists is doing the comparing. Compared means “being compared”: the number of tourists is compared with last year and doesn't do anything itself. So Comparing was replaced with Compared.
Than goes only after a comparative form: smaller than, cheaper than. Compared to doesn't need one: The flat is small compared to our old house. A simple check: if the adjective has no -er or more, you need compared to. In IELTS Writing Task 1, the phrase is handy for pairs of figures: 15% in 2020, compared to 40% in 2024.
Your turn
The flat is quite small ___ our old house, but it's much warmer.
Show the answer
compared to — Small is in its basic form, without -er, so the comparison is introduced by compared to. Than only works after a comparative form: smaller than our old house.
Compare the city where you live now with another one where you've lived or that you've visited. Name one thing (prices, transport or weather) and use compared to.
Compared to Kazan, where I grew up, St Petersburg has far more rainy days.
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