11 Formal Terms For “Apple To Apple Comparison”

When someone makes an “apple to apple” comparison, they compare two very similar things. However, the phrase is not always the easiest to understand and tends not to sound very professional. Here we describe alternate terms that mean the same thing but have a more formal tone.

Formal Terms For Apple To Apple Comparison

The preferred formal way of saying “apples to apples” is to say “direct comparison.” This phrase indicates that you are comparing things “directly” or, in other words, “without anything else in-between.” Just like comparing an apple to another apple, there are no outside circumstances interfering in the judgment.

If you want to use a different way to state that you are making an “apple to apple” comparison, you can choose from one of the following 11 alternatives to get your message across.

Direct Comparison

When you directly compare two things, you analyze certain aspects of one item with the same elements of the other item. Doing so suggests that both of the things you are comparing must have similar features or characteristics.

 The word “direct” implies that there is not a noticeable distinctiveness between the things being compared. Here are some examples that show how “direct comparison” is a good alternative for “apple to apple.”

  • It’s easy to make a direct comparison between the two schools because they offer many of the same programs.
  • I can’t make a good direct comparison between the two restaurants because they are just too different.
  • If you want to know which option is the best, you need to make a direct comparison between them.
  • Make a direct comparison between the two classes and then decide.

Line-By-Line Comparison

Use “line-by-line comparison” when you are comparing two like things that are documents or something that is written down. This alternative is pretty specific to comparing items that appear on paper because it suggests that you are going through each item “line-by-line.”

You will most often see this phrase used with regards to financial documents or academic papers. See with these examples how you can use it in a sentence.

  • I’ll need to make a line-by-line comparison of the two bills to see the error.
  • I made a line-by-line comparison of the two reports to find similarities.
  • When we made a line-by-line comparison of the contracts, we saw the differences.
  • A line-by-line comparison showed the papers were almost the same.

Detailed Comparison

A “detailed comparison” can serve as an appropriate alternative for “apple to apple comparison.” However, it is also one of the alternatives that you can use for a more general comparison between two not-so-similar objects as well. It means that you are looking at the full particulars of each item.

Here are some examples so you can see how to make a “detailed comparison.” Note that the context of these examples all imply that the items being compared are quite similar to each other.

  • Can you draft up a report with a detailed comparison between the two candidates?
  • A detailed comparison between the two refrigerators will help me decide which to buy.
  • Make a detailed comparison between the two insurance companies to see which one offers the better policy.
  • I’ll need a detailed comparison of the two quotes we received.

Feature-By-Feature Comparison

If you make a “feature-by-feature” comparison, you focus on analyzing the specific characteristics of two similar objects. This expression makes a good alternative for an “apple-to-apple” comparison because it requires that the two things being compared have the same features.  

Note that a “feature-by-feature” comparison is very specific and requires looking at certain aspects of the things you are comparing. These examples further illustrate how to use this alternative.

  • A feature-by-feature comparison of the two phones will show their differences.
  • Before I purchase a new car, I always make a feature-by-feature comparison.
  • Only if I make a feature-by-feature comparison of the twins can I spot their differences.
  • Dad made a feature-by-feature comparison of the two televisions.

Lateral Comparison

The word “lateral” implies a move in the same direction. Therefore, a “lateral comparison” would suggest that the things you are comparing are essentially the same in some particular way.

Some examples include:

  • If you have time, can you make a lateral comparison of the two programs?
  • It was hard to make a lateral comparison between the two video games.
  • I wish that people wouldn’t always make a lateral comparison between my twin sister and me.
  • You could easily make a lateral comparison between the two running shoes.

Like-For-Like Comparison

A “like-for-like” comparison means exactly what the words indicate. You analyze two or more objects that have the same characteristics or qualities and compare them to each other.

You often use this phrase when you want to measure identical things within the same period of different years. However, it is not always used that way and is typically used in a more general sense. Here are some examples:

  • The two hotel choices presented a like-for-like comparison.
  • Can you do a like-for-like comparison of the two dresses?
  • When I did a like-for-like comparison of sales, I was able to see how business had grown.
  • The two Mexican restaurants are basically a like-for-like comparison.

Fair Comparison

When you make a “fair comparison,” it implies that you have no bias between the two things being compared. Instead, you look at them equally and compare them according to the same baseline. Therefore, this phrase can mean the same thing as an “apple to apple” comparison.

See how it is used in these example sentences and the implication is that the comparison is or is not a legitimate one.

  • I used the same ingredients so I could make a fair comparison between the two cookie recipes.
  • This restaurant was so busy last time I was here, but I guess it’s not a fair comparison since that was on a weekend.
  • It is not a fair comparison to look at John’s success compared to Cindy’s.
  • I’m sorry, but that’s just not a fair comparison to make.

Equal Comparison

If something is “equal,” it is the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. Therefore, making an “equal comparison” means that you are comparing two or more things that are the same with regard to quantity, size, degree, or value.

This phrase is similar to “fair comparison” because it implies a sense of looking at the things compared from an unbiased perspective. See how in these examples “equal comparison” makes a good alternative for “apple to apple comparison.”

  • To say that Jeff is short for his age compared to Lucas is not an equal comparison.
  • You cannot make an equal comparison between my paycheck and yours because you work more hours.
  • You can make an equal comparison between the two pairs of shoes because they cost the same.
  • It is basically an equal comparison between the two jobs.

Similar Comparison

As the phrase suggests, a “similar comparison” is one that is made between two things that are alike in one or many ways. The word “similar” means that two or more things resemble each other but are not identical. Such is often also the case with “apple to apple” comparisons.

In these examples, you can see how the word “similar” emphasizes the likeness of the things being compared.

  • It’s a pretty similar comparison between the two houses because they were both designed by the same builder.
  • It is easy to make a similar comparison between the two sisters.
  • it’s a similar comparison between the chocolate flavor of both brands of ice cream.
  • I’d say that it’s a pretty similar comparison, wouldn’t you?

Exact Comparison

The word “exact” implies a level of preciseness when comparing one thing or person to another. Therefore, there is no room for any approximations or estimates. The comparison must be made between two very much alike things.  

You use this alternative primarily in the negative sense. For example, it is effective when you are describing a precise comparison that cannot be made between two or more things. These examples illustrate this idea further.

  • It’s almost impossible to make an exact comparison between the two countries.
  • I tried to make an exact comparison between the two trails that went up the mountain, but they had different terrain.
  • You cannot make an exact comparison between their marriage and yours.
  • When we compared this year’s taxes with last year’s it was an exact comparison.

Point-By-Point Comparison

Almost identical to a feature-by-feature” comparison is a “point-by-point” comparison. This type of comparison requires that you look at certain specific aspects from two or more similar things. In addition, it is a bit more generalized than a feature-by-feature” comparison because the analysis does not have to tie into specific features.

When you look at these examples, you can see the difference between “point-by-point” and “feature-by-feature.”

  • The lawyer had to make a point-by-point comparison of all the witness statements to determine his angle.
  • A point-by-point comparison of the two vacation spots shows they are both equally desirable.
  • I’d like to make a point-by-point comparison of the two companies before deciding which one to use.
  • The coach did a point-by-point comparison of the two baseball players.

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