Compare with vs Compare to

[kendogg]

Many investors base their choice between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields to the dividends available on common stocks.

(A) between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields to
(B) among bonds and stocks on comparisons of bond yields to
(C) between bonds and stocks on comparisons of bond yields with
(D) among bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields and
(E) between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields with

[me4mba]

Between "among" and "between", I'd go with "between" because 2 things are being compared here: bonds and stocks.

Between compare "to" and compare "with", I'd go with compare "with" because you are trying to differentiate / make a distinction between the two.

So I'm down to C & E. I'll go with E because I'm not sure about the structure "comparison of X with Y".

[bushra]

IMO the answer should be C

[Danielle]

The answer is C.

You guys are right about "between" being the correct choice over "among", so B and D can be immediately eliminated. Then it comes down to compare to or compare with. I did a little digging for the rule on this one (I didn't know offhand) and I found:

Use 'compare to' for simple comparisons of two things that are alike, or to illustrate that two things are similar, i.e. Shall i compare thee to a summer's day?

Use 'compare with' to place two things side by side and examining their similarities or differences, i.e. You can compare the American Revolution with the French Revolution to illustrate the impact of John Locke's writings on international politics.

Based on this rule, it is clear that "compare with" is the right choice, there fore A is eliminated. Lastly C corrects the 'comparing' to 'comparisons' which is correct. In the sentence their decision is based on the comparison (noun), not based on comparing (gerund/adjective).