Compere (compère or compare)

Compere (often written compère) and compare look similar but mean different things: one names or describes a host; the other describes examining similarities or differences.

Quick answer

Use compere/compère when the action is hosting or introducing at an event. Use compare when you are examining similarities, differences, or data.

compere / compère (noun): The compère introduced the band.
compere (verb): She compered the gala last night. (past: compered)
compare (verb): Compare the two reports before deciding.

Core difference: meaning and quick check

If the sentence is about introducing, running or presenting a show → compere. If it's about weighing, measuring, or listing similarities/differences → compare.

Host/introduce/MC → compere (noun or verb).
Examine/evaluate/similarity or difference → compare (verb).

Grammar: parts of speech and verb forms

Compare is regular: compare, compared, comparing. Compere appears as a noun (the compère) and as a verb: compere, compered, compering. Don't swap their past forms-compared ≠ compered.

compare → compare, compared, comparing
compere → compere (noun); compere, compered, compering (verb)
Avoid odd spellings: use compered (not compèred) or restructure as "hosted."

Wrong: I compared the school assembly yesterday.
Right: I compered the school assembly yesterday.
Wrong: She compered the results and wrote them up. (meant: she compared)
Right: She compared the results and wrote them up.

Spelling, accent, hyphenation and spacing

Both compère (accented) and compere (unaccented) are acceptable. Choose one and be consistent. Never insert spaces or hyphens inside the word.

Acceptable: compère or compere. Avoid: com pere, com-per-e, comp er e.
If you must break the word across lines, follow your style guide; avoid awkward breaks.
If unsure, use host or emcee to avoid accent or hyphenation issues.

Wrong: They asked him to com pere the concert.
Right: They asked him to compere the concert.
Usage: Programme listing: "Compère: Jordan Smith" (accent optional).

Memory tricks

Quick cues help when you're editing fast.

compare → pair: Think "pair" or numbers-compare compares items.
compere → MC/host: Imagine someone on stage introducing acts-use compere for hosting.
If you're still unsure, rewrite: "Please introduce the speakers" or "Please compare these two files."

Try your own sentence

Read the whole sentence in context. Context usually resolves the choice: hosting → compere; analysis → compare.

Examples you can copy: work, school and casual (wrong/right pairs)

Wrong/right pairs show the common error and the natural fix.

Work (wrong → right): Wrong: Can you compare the conference this afternoon? →
Right: Can you compere (host) the conference this afternoon?
Work (usage): Compare last quarter's revenue with this quarter's before the meeting.
Work (usage): She will compere the product launch on Friday.
School (wrong → right): Wrong: Please compere chapters 2 and 3 for the essay. →
Right: Please compare chapters 2 and 3 for the essay.
School (usage): Our compère for the assembly will be Ms. Kim.
School (usage): Compare the experiment results with the control samples and report the differences.
Casual (wrong → right): Wrong: Can you compere the party tonight? →
Right: Can you host (compere) the party tonight?
Casual (usage): I like to compare celeb outfits on Instagram.
Casual (usage): He compered the open-mic last week and had everyone laughing.
Other wrong → right pairs: Wrong: She compared the show last night. (meant: she hosted it) →
Right: She compered (or emceed/hosted) the show last night.
Other wrong → right pairs: Wrong: She compereed the reports. →
Right: She compared the reports. (If she hosted the panel: She compered the panel that presented the reports.)

Fix your sentence: ready-to-use rewrites

Choose the rewrite that matches whether you mean hosting or examining.

Wrong: Please compare the awards evening. →
Rewrite: Please compere (host) the awards evening.
Wrong: He compared the guests throughout the night. →
Rewrite: He compered the event, introducing each guest and keeping the show moving.
Wrong: Can you compere the meeting notes? →
Rewrite: Can you review the meeting notes and summarize differences?
Wrong: Compare the awards to choose a winner. →
Rewrite: Compare the finalists' performances and name the winner.
Wrong: She compereed the reports. →
Rewrite: She compared the reports. (Or: She compered the panel that presented the reports.)

Real usage and tone: when compere sounds right

Compere reads theatrical or British. Emcee and host are more neutral-especially in American business writing. Always use compare for analyses, lab reports, and business evaluations.

Use compere for entertainment listings, award shows and broadcasts: "Compère: Jordan Davis."
Use emcee or host for informal or corporate events: "Can you host the kick-off meeting?"
Use compare for academic, technical and business evaluations: "Compare results A and B."

Similar mistakes and confusable words

A small mis-choice can reverse meaning. Watch these common confusions.

compere vs emcee vs host - similar role, different register.
compare to vs compare with - "compare to" often signals analogy; "compare with" signals side-by-side examination, though usage overlaps.
compared (past of compare) ≠ compered (past of compere).
Don't confuse compere with unrelated verbs like compile or compose.

Wrong: She compared the show last night. (meant: she hosted it)
Right: She compered (or emceed/hosted) the show last night.

FAQ

Is compere the same as compare?

No. Compere means master of ceremonies or to act as a host. Compare means to examine similarities or differences.

Should I write compère with the accent?

Either form is acceptable. Compère signals the word's French origin; compere is common in English. Be consistent.

What is the past tense of compere?

Most writers use compered: "He compered the gala." Don't confuse it with compared, the past of compare.

When should I use host, emcee or compere?

Use host or emcee in casual or business contexts. Use compere when you want a theatrical or formal tone, or in entertainment listings-especially in British English.

How do I fix a sentence if I'm not sure which word fits?

Ask: is the action about introducing/hosting a live event? If yes, use compere/host/emcee. If it's about examining or evaluating, use compare. When uncertain, rephrase: "Please introduce the speakers" or "Examine the two reports."

Still not sure? Fast checks to use now

Run a one-line test: hosting? → compere. analysis? → compare. Keep two ready rewrites-"Please host the awards" and "Compare the two reports"-to paste when you're editing quickly.