Choosing between Commensurate With vs. Commensurate To can confuse learners because prepositions shape meaning and clarity. These small words guide your sentence, prevent misunderstandings, and help your writing sound natural.
Most of the time, commensurate with is the correct form. Use it when something matches a standard or measure, like salary matching experience. With practice, this choice becomes easy, helping you write confidently, professionally, and with better clarity.
Understanding the Word ‘Commensurate’
The word commensurate originates from the Latin word commensuratus, meaning “measured together” or “proportional.” In modern English, it describes something that corresponds in size, degree, or extent to something else. For instance, salary is often said to be commensurate with experience, meaning it matches the level of experience appropriately.
Key points about commensurate:
- It is an adjective, not a verb.
- It expresses proportionality, equality, or appropriateness.
- Its meaning is closely tied to context, especially in professional or academic writing.
Understanding that commensurate describes a relationship will help you choose the right preposition.
Why ‘Commensurate With’ Is Correct
English has standard collocations-words that naturally pair together. “Commensurate with” is one such collocation. It appears in dictionaries, style guides, and professional writing as the preferred usage.
Linguistic evidence:
| Source | Example |
| Oxford English Dictionary | “His pay is commensurate with his skills.” |
| Cambridge Dictionary | “Responsibilities commensurate with the position.” |
| Merriam-Webster | “Salary commensurate with experience.” |
As you can see, with conveys a relationship or correspondence, which perfectly matches commensurate. Saying “commensurate to” is rare and often considered incorrect in formal English.
How to Use ‘Commensurate With’ in Sentences
Using commensurate with correctly requires understanding the relationship you are describing. Here’s how to use it in different contexts:
Formal writing examples:
- “The scholarship amount is commensurate with academic achievement.”
- “The responsibilities of the role are commensurate with the job title.”
Professional and casual examples:
- “Your workload should be commensurate with your position.”
- “Bonuses will be commensurate with performance.”
Common mistakes to avoid:
- ❌ “The salary is commensurate to experience.”
- ❌ “Responsibilities commensurate in scope.”
By sticking with commensurate with, your sentences remain grammatically correct and stylistically polished.
Exploring ‘Commensurate To’
Sometimes you may see “commensurate to”, especially in non-native writing or older texts. While not technically wrong in very rare cases, it is largely discouraged in modern English.
Why it appears:
- Historical variation in English prepositions.
- Influence from other languages where “to” is commonly used.
Comparison table:
| Phrase | Usage Frequency | Acceptable in Modern English? |
| Commensurate with | Very High | ✅ Yes, preferred |
| Commensurate to | Very Low | ⚠️ Rarely acceptable |
| Commensurate in | Extremely Rare | ❌ Not recommended |
Linguists and style guides overwhelmingly favor commensurate with.
The Role of Context in Preposition Choice
Context can influence preposition choice more than grammar rules alone. For example:
- Academic writing: “Results are commensurate with the hypotheses tested.”
- Corporate writing: “Salary packages are commensurate with experience and responsibility.”
- Literature or journalism: “The grandeur of the hall was commensurate with the king’s status.”
The key is that commensurate always describes proportionality, so the preposition must reflect the relationship accurately.
Tips for spotting the correct preposition quickly:
- Ask yourself: “Does ‘with’ show a balance or correspondence?”
- Check style guides: Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster all prefer with.
- If writing professionally, default to with to avoid errors.
Professional and Academic Usage
In professional and academic contexts, precision matters. Using commensurate with signals mastery of English and attention to detail.
Academic examples:
- “The participants’ compensation was commensurate with their contribution to the study.”
- “Grades should be commensurate with effort and achievement.”
Corporate examples:
- Job listings: “Salary commensurate with experience.”
- Performance reviews: “Bonus commensurate with performance metrics.”
Table: Common professional uses
| Context | Example |
| HR/Recruitment | Salary commensurate with experience |
| Performance Evaluation | Bonus commensurate with results |
| Academic | Funding commensurate with research output |
| Legal | Penalty commensurate with offense severity |
Rare Variants: ‘Commensurate In’ and Other Alternatives
While some writers may encounter phrases like commensurate in, they are largely incorrect.
Why it’s incorrect:
- “In” implies location, container, or medium, which doesn’t fit the proportional relationship expressed by commensurate.
Better alternatives:
- Instead of “commensurate in value,” use “equivalent in value” or “proportionate to value”.
- Instead of “commensurate in scope,” use “proportional to scope”.
Avoid these rare variants to maintain clarity and correctness.
Memory Tricks and Quick Grammar Tips
To remember commensurate with, try these tips:
- Mnemonic: “Commensurate With = Corresponds With.” Think of with as connecting two things proportionally.
- Quick check: Replace with matches-if it makes sense, you’re correct.
- When in doubt, consult trusted dictionaries or writing guides.
These small habits prevent recurring mistakes in professional or academic writing.
Expert Opinions
Style guides and linguists unanimously recommend commensurate with:
“The adjective commensurate is almost always followed by the preposition with. Usage with to is rare and nonstandard.” – Oxford English Dictionary
“Commensurate with is the standard usage in all professional and academic writing. Writers should avoid commensurate to in modern English.” – Cambridge Dictionary
Experts emphasize that proper usage reflects professionalism, especially in corporate communication, academic writing, and formal correspondence.
Conclusion
Using commensurate with is almost always correct, while commensurate to is rarely acceptable and considered nonstandard. Understanding the word commensurate, its relationship to the objects it describes, and the context in which it is used ensures precise and professional writing.
Whether you are writing a job description, academic paper, or literary analysis, “commensurate with” is the safe, correct choice. By practicing these examples and following expert guidelines, you can confidently apply it in every situation.
Remember, prepositions are small words with big importance. A single misstep can make your writing sound off. Stick with with, check context, and keep your sentences clear, proportional, and professional.
FAQs
Is it ever correct to say “commensurate to”?
While you might occasionally see “commensurate to” in older texts or non-native writing, it is generally considered incorrect in modern English. Leading dictionaries like Oxford, Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster all prefer “commensurate with”. Using with accurately conveys proportionality, correspondence, or equivalence. Saying “commensurate to” can make your writing sound awkward or unprofessional, especially in academic papers, corporate documents, or formal communication. The safest approach is always to use “commensurate with”, ensuring clarity and grammatical correctness across professional and casual contexts.
Can I use “commensurate in” in a sentence?
The phrase “commensurate in” is extremely rare and typically incorrect. “In” implies location, container, or medium, which doesn’t match commensurate’s meaning of proportionality or correspondence. For example, instead of writing “commensurate in value,” you should write “commensurate with value” or use alternatives like “proportional to value” or “equivalent in value.” Avoiding “in” prevents confusion and keeps your writing professional. Stick with “with” whenever describing relationships, degrees, or alignment between two entities.
How do I know when to use “commensurate with”?
Use “commensurate with” whenever you want to express a relationship of equality, proportion, or suitability between two things. Common examples include:
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Responsibilities commensurate with position
- Results commensurate with effort
A helpful trick is to replace with with matches; if it makes sense, your sentence is correct. This works in professional, academic, and everyday contexts, making it a quick and reliable way to check your usage.
Why does “commensurate with” dominate in professional writing?
Professional and academic writing requires precision and clarity. “Commensurate with” is the accepted standard because it accurately expresses proportionality and alignment. Leading style guides, including Oxford and Cambridge, recommend it consistently. Whether in HR documents, performance reviews, research papers, or corporate emails, using with conveys professionalism. In contrast, commensurate to or in can appear informal, incorrect, or awkward. Using the correct preposition ensures your writing sounds polished, authoritative, and universally understood.
Are there alternatives to “commensurate with” I can use?
Yes, depending on context, you can use alternatives without changing the meaning:
- Proportional to – “Bonuses are proportional to performance.”
- Equivalent to – “The award is equivalent to the achievement.”
- Aligned with – “Responsibilities should be aligned with the role.”
These alternatives work if you want variation or a slightly different tone, but in most cases, “commensurate with” remains the most precise and widely accepted choice in English.
