"compared to the previous year" vs "compared with the previous year"

Question

"compared to the previous year" vs "compared with the previous year"

Both 'compared to the previous year' and 'compared with the previous year' are commonly used and acceptable in English. They are interchangeable and can be used to indicate a comparison between two different time periods.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate a comparison between the current year and the year before it.

Examples:

Sales increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
The population growth rate this year is higher compared to the previous year.

Alternatives:

compared with the previous year
in comparison to the previous year
against the previous year
relative to the previous year
as opposed to the previous year

This phrase is also used to indicate a comparison between the current year and the year before it.

Examples:

The company's revenue decreased by 5% compared with the previous year.
The temperature in July was higher this year compared with the previous year.

Alternatives:

compared to the previous year
in comparison with the previous year
against the previous year
relative to the previous year
as opposed to the previous year

Answer 1

compared to the previous year

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

compared with the previous year

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"compared to the previous year" vs "compared with the previous year"

compared to the previous year

compared with the previous year

Related Comparisons