“High comparison” is not a standard English phrase. If you’re searching for it, you likely mean one of two correct expressions: “high in comparison” (used when something ranks or measures high relative to something else) or “by comparison” (used to contrast two things directly). Neither phrase works if you strip out the small connecting words “in” or “by” and just say “high comparison.”
The Short Answer
English doesn’t pair “high” directly with “comparison” as a set phrase. Instead, native speakers use:
- “High in comparison to/with [something]” — meaning a value, price, or level is greater than another when the two are placed side by side.
- “By comparison” — meaning when you compare one thing against another, a difference becomes obvious.
- “Comparatively high” — a tidy adverb-adjective combo that means the same thing as “high in comparison,” just shorter.
“High comparison” on its own reads like a fragment — your brain expects a preposition to finish the thought. That’s the tell that something’s missing.
Why People Get It Wrong
The confusion usually comes from trying to shorten a longer phrase. “The price is high in comparison to last year” gets clipped down to “high comparison” in a rush, and the meaning gets lost along with the grammar. It’s the same instinct that turns “in spite of” into “despite of” — a well-meaning shortcut that isn’t actually correct.
Another source of the mix-up: people search for “high comparison” when they really want a word or phrase that means a marked difference or a strong contrast. In that case, what you probably want is “stark comparison,” “sharp contrast,” or simply “a big difference.”
“High in Comparison” vs. “By Comparison”
| Phrase | What It Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| High in comparison to | Says one specific thing is greater than another | Rent here is high in comparison to nearby cities. |
| By comparison | Highlights a contrast between two things already mentioned | Last year’s sales were slow. This year’s numbers, by comparison, are excellent. |
| Comparatively high | A one-word-shorter version of “high in comparison” | The interest rate is comparatively high this quarter. |
Examples in a Sentence
- Correct: “The unemployment rate is high in comparison to last decade.”
- Correct: “Her test score was strong. By comparison, mine felt disappointing.”
- Correct: “Property values here are comparatively high for the region.”
- Incorrect: “The unemployment rate shows a high comparison to last decade.”
- Incorrect: “There’s a high comparison between the two products.”
If you want to describe a strong or dramatic difference between two things, swap in “stark contrast” or “sharp comparison” instead: “There’s a sharp contrast between the two products” reads naturally, while “high comparison” does not.
Which to Use When
Pick your phrase based on what you’re actually saying:
- Talking about one thing measuring high next to another? Use “high in comparison to/with.”
- Contrasting two things you’ve already introduced? Use “by comparison.”
- Want something tighter and more formal? Use “comparatively high.”
- Describing a big, noticeable gap between two things? Use “stark contrast” or “sharp difference.”
Key Takeaways
- “High comparison” is not standard English — it’s an incomplete version of a correct phrase.
- Use “high in comparison to” when one thing measures greater than another.
- Use “by comparison” to highlight a contrast between two things already mentioned.
- “Comparatively high” is a shorter, equally correct alternative.
- For a dramatic difference, reach for “stark contrast” or “sharp difference” instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “high comparison” grammatically correct?
No. It reads as an incomplete phrase. The correct forms are “high in comparison to,” “by comparison,” or “comparatively high,” depending on what you’re trying to say.
What does “high in comparison” mean?
It means something measures greater, larger, or more expensive than something else when the two are placed side by side. For example, “Prices here are high in comparison to last year.”
Can I say “in high comparison to”?
No, that’s also incorrect. The proper order is “high in comparison to,” with “high” coming before “in comparison.”
What’s the difference between “by comparison” and “in comparison to”?
“By comparison” stands alone and refers back to something already stated: “Sales were flat last quarter. This quarter, by comparison, was strong.” “In comparison to” needs a direct object: “This quarter was strong in comparison to last quarter.”
What should I say instead of “high comparison” for a big difference?
Try “stark contrast,” “sharp difference,” or “marked contrast.” These phrases work as complete, natural-sounding expressions on their own.
Small connecting words like “in” and “by” carry more grammatical weight than they seem to. Get them right and phrases like this stop feeling awkward and start sounding natural. If usage questions like this one trip you up often, it’s worth browsing a few more entries here — the patterns start to click faster than you’d expect.
