about equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that two or more quantities or values are approximately the same. Example: "The two teams had about equal chances of winning the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Our backhands are about equal.

The New York Times - Sports

It's about equal pay.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's about equal opportunity," Russell explained.

Independent

We're not here about equal results.

The Economist

Now how about equal time for time?

The New York Times - Tech

"It's really about equal opportunity".

The New York Times

Feminism is about equal rights.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the handouts, they were about equal.

The New York Times - Health

What about equal treatment for the elderly?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We Are About Equal c.

The New York Times

Casualties on both sides were about equal 45,000 each.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities or qualities, use "about equal" to indicate that they are nearly the same without being precisely identical. For example, "The amount of time spent on research was "about equal" to the time spent on writing."

Common error

Avoid using "about equal" when a higher degree of precision is required. If exact measurements are available, provide them rather than using an approximation. For instance, instead of saying 'The lengths were "about equal",' specify 'Both lengths measured 10 centimeters'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about equal" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is nearly equivalent in quantity, quality, or degree to something else. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to express approximate equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about equal" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating approximate equivalence. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its frequency across diverse sources, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, underscores its general applicability. While more formal alternatives like "approximately equal" exist, "about equal" remains a clear and concise option for expressing near equivalence. Be mindful to avoid using "about equal" in contexts requiring high precision, and always ensure that the intended meaning is one of approximation rather than exactness. When precision is needed use the expression "exactly equal" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly equivalent

Emphasizes an estimated equivalence, introducing a slight degree of approximation.

approximately the same

Highlights the closeness in value or quantity, using "approximately" for a softer assertion.

more or less equal

Suggests that the entities being compared are not exactly equal but close enough to be considered so.

nearly identical

Implies a very high degree of similarity, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

virtually the same

Emphasizes that for all practical purposes, the items are identical.

in the same ballpark

An informal way of saying that the values are close, typically used in numerical contexts.

comparable

Indicates that the items are similar enough to be compared, though not necessarily equal.

on par

Suggests that the items are at the same level or standard.

of a similar magnitude

Used to describe sizes or quantities that are close in value.

tantamount to

Implies that two things are functionally equivalent, even if not literally the same.

FAQs

How can I use "about equal" in a sentence?

Use "about equal" to indicate approximate equivalence between two or more things. For example, "The cost of the two options is "roughly equivalent"" or "Their contributions to the project were "about equal".

What phrases can I use instead of "about equal"?

Alternatives to "about equal" include "approximately the same", "roughly equivalent", or "nearly identical", depending on the context and the degree of precision you want to convey.

Is it better to say "about equal" or "approximately equal"?

Both "about equal" and "approximately equal" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference and the desired level of formality. "About equal" is slightly more informal than "approximately equal".

What's the difference between "about equal" and "exactly equal"?

"About equal" implies a close but not necessarily perfect similarity, while "exactly equal" indicates that two things are identical in every way. Use "about equal" when precision is not critical, and "exactly equal" when precision is important.