all things being equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"all things being equal" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used as a conditional clause, indicating that a statement or situation is true or valid only if all other factors are consistent or unchanged. Example sentence: "All things being equal, the team with the most skilled players is likely to win the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not best, all things being equal.

Yale University

"All things being equal, you help your friends," he declared.

The New York Times

And all things being equal, many is better than one.

The New York Times - Magazine

As Navratilova said: "All things being equal, Serena will win".

The Guardian - Sport

All things being equal, when rates rise prices generally fall.

The New York Times

"All things being equal Cav should be untouchable".

The Guardian - Sport

"All things being equal, we want both," Mr. Broome said.

The New York Times

All things being equal, you should be hiking at daybreak.

The Guardian - Travel

All things being equal, I would show an older print.

The New York Times - Arts

All things being equal, protected areas are better sites than exposed hilltops.

Cornell University

All things being equal, it is harder to feed 7 billion people than 6 billion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all things being equal" to introduce a hypothetical scenario where other variables are constant, allowing you to focus on the impact of a specific factor.

Common error

Avoid using "all things being equal" when key influencing factors are known to be unequal or significantly different. The phrase implies a level playing field that doesn't exist in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all things being equal" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically as a conditional clause. It modifies the main clause by setting a condition under which the statement is true. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how it introduces a hypothetical scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all things being equal" is a versatile phrase used to create a hypothetical scenario, allowing for clearer comparisons by assuming consistent external factors. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, as well as academic and formal business contexts.

When using "all things being equal", ensure that the assumed equality is reasonable given the situation to avoid misinterpretations. Consider context and choose accurate interchangeable alternatives, like "assuming all else is equal" for formal writing or "everything being the same" for a less formal approach. Overall, this phrase provides clarity and precision to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming all else is equal

Replaces "things" with "else" and uses the verb "assuming" to emphasize the conditional nature.

all factors being constant

Emphasizes the "factors" that need to remain unchanged.

if other factors remain constant

More explicitly states the condition of constant factors.

everything else held constant

Uses "held constant" instead of "being equal" for a more formal tone.

everything being the same

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

with all conditions the same

Replaces "equal" with "the same", focusing on identical conditions.

other things remaining the same

Similar to "everything else held constant", but with a slightly different wording.

given the same circumstances

Focuses on the "circumstances" being identical.

in a controlled environment

Implies a setting where external variables are minimized.

under normal circumstances

Suggests that there are no unusual or interfering elements.

FAQs

How can I use "all things being equal" in a sentence?

You can use "all things being equal" to set up a hypothetical situation where you are comparing two or more things, assuming that all other factors are the same. For instance, "All things being equal, the more experienced candidate should get the job."

What phrases can I use instead of "all things being equal"?

You can use alternatives like "assuming all else is equal", "if other factors remain constant", or "everything else held constant" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "all things being equal"?

While the phrase may seem somewhat self-explanatory, it serves as a useful disclaimer, explicitly stating that a comparison or prediction is based on a specific condition. It helps to clarify assumptions and potential limitations.

What's the difference between "all things being equal" and "in theory"?

"All things being equal" sets up a scenario assuming no external differences, while "in theory" refers to something that should happen according to a set of rules, but may not in practice due to unforeseen circumstances.