about the equivalent of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about the equivalent of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a comparison or approximation between two quantities or values. Example: "The cost of the new software is about the equivalent of a year's salary for an entry-level position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"About the equivalent of a granola bar".

The New Yorker

That is about the equivalent of half of China's current consumption of natural gas.

The New York Times

Refills cost $19 for five cartridges, about the equivalent of 200 cigarettes.

The New York Times

That loss is about the equivalent of losing all of Connecticut's labor force".

The Guardian

(Five milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol is about the equivalent of a few puffs from a joint).

The New Yorker

Known simply by its address, 200 Docks Corner Road, the warehouse contains 1.2 million square feet of space, about the equivalent of a 60-story office tower.

The New York Times

You should ask for a month's rent in advance and about the equivalent of six weeks' rent in the form of a deposit against damage to your property.

The Guardian - Money

She was educated until about the equivalent of the first grade, and was pulled out because, she testified, her family could not afford to have her in school.

The New York Times

Last year, the solar industry produced 1,195 megawatts of new electricity-generation capacity -- about the equivalent of one large power plant, Mr. Taub said.

The New York Times

The conditions, financially, are not strenuous: a million rands, which is about the equivalent of a hundred and twelve thousand dollars.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bGeigie counter we'd put on the outside of the car was reading around 7.5µSv/h about the equivalent of a chest x-ray every six hours and it was climbing fast.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two disparate things, use "about the equivalent of" to provide a relatable reference point for your audience, enhancing understanding and engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "about the equivalent of" when a precise measurement or comparison is available. Providing specific data enhances credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about the equivalent of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a comparison or approximation. It connects two quantities or concepts, indicating they are similar in value or magnitude. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about the equivalent of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to make comparisons and approximations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, it's best practice to use this phrase to provide relatable context and improve understanding. However, avoid overuse when precise measurements are available. For alternatives, consider phrases like "approximately equal to" or "roughly equivalent to". The phrase is a useful tool for simplifying complex information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly equivalent to

Replaces "about" with "roughly", maintaining a similar degree of approximation.

approximately equal to

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal and direct equivalent.

comparable to

Offers a concise and formal alternative, emphasizing comparability.

more or less the same as

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey approximate similarity.

on par with

Suggests that two things are equal or similar in quality or status.

of a similar magnitude to

Uses a more scientific or technical term.

in the same ballpark as

Employs an idiomatic expression to indicate a similar range or value.

in the neighborhood of

Indicates an approximate value or quantity.

virtually identical to

Expresses near-perfect equivalence.

tantamount to

Indicates that two things are essentially the same, especially in effect or value.

FAQs

How can I use "about the equivalent of" in a sentence?

You can use "about the equivalent of" to make comparisons between different units or concepts, like "The energy consumed by that device is about the equivalent of running a refrigerator for a day."

What's a formal alternative to "about the equivalent of"?

A more formal alternative is "approximately equal to" or "comparable to". For example, instead of saying "the cost is about the equivalent of $100", you could say "the cost is approximately equal to $100".

Which is more accurate, "about the equivalent of" or "exactly equivalent to"?

"About the equivalent of" implies an approximation, while "exactly equivalent to" indicates precise equality. Use "exactly equivalent to" only when the values are precisely the same.

What phrases are similar to "about the equivalent of"?

Similar phrases include "roughly equivalent to", "more or less the same as", or "in the same ballpark as", all suggesting an approximate comparison.