Compare to vs. Compare with

Compare to is used to liken two things or to put them in the same category. You should use compare to when you intend to simply assert that two things are alike. Use compare to to illustrate that two things are similar.

1. The economy can be compared to a stallion charging at the gate.
2. I compare getting comments from students in class to pulling teeth.
3. She compared her work for women's rights to Susan B. Anthony's campaign for women's suffrage.

Compare with is used to place two things side by side for the purpose of examining their similarities or differences. Use compare with to illustrate the differences a comparison draws.

1. The American economy can be compared with the European economy to note how military history impacts future economics.
2. It would be interesting to compare Purdue with Ohio State.
3. Ann has a 3.5 GPA, compared with Jim's 2.9.