almost equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost equal to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very close in value, amount, or quality to something else. For example, "The cost of the two items was almost equal to each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Precisely, the transmission coefficient is almost equal to unity for the all studied cases.

Ultrasonics

Additionally, the effect of 1% NS is almost equal to that 10% of SF.

Construction and Building Materials

The measured response of the HTS multiplexer was almost equal to the simulated results.

Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

In the molecule, the "tail" length is almost equal to the width of the "head".

Inorganic Chemistry Communications

Our calculations of AC losses of both cables are almost equal to each measurement.

Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications

Classified advertising is almost equal to retail advertising in its importance to the industry.

The New York Times

Especially among young people, basketball is almost equal to soccer in popularity around the world.

The New York Times

And for another, its mountains were almost equal to those in the south.

The New York Times - Travel

"In the use-of-force scale, it's almost equal to using a nightstick".

The New Yorker

He seized it, nearly pulling Low in, for his weight was almost equal to the man's.

The New Yorker

Even so, Young's modulus of the PVA film was almost equal to that of the UHMWPE.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost equal to", ensure the context clarifies the degree of approximation acceptable. For scientific or technical writing, specify tolerance or margin of error.

Common error

Avoid using "almost equal to" when the difference is significant. Use more appropriate qualifiers such as "significantly different" or "substantially different" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost equal to" functions as a qualifier or modifier, indicating that two things are very similar in quantity, quality, or value but not exactly the same. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost equal to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express near equivalence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing its usage across various fields, especially science and news. When using "almost equal to", be mindful of the context and the degree of approximation involved. If precision is crucial, provide specific values or margins of error. Consider alternatives like "approximately equal to" or "nearly equivalent to" based on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overstating the near equivalence when significant differences exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately equal to

Emphasizes an estimation or close approximation rather than an exact equality.

nearly equivalent to

Focuses on the similarity in value or effect, implying a slight difference.

roughly the same as

Indicates a general similarity, allowing for a more noticeable degree of variation.

virtually identical to

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, with minimal detectable difference.

comparable to

Highlights the similarity for comparison, implying similar characteristics or qualities.

on par with

Implies a level of equality in terms of quality or performance.

tantamount to

Suggests that the two things being compared are virtually the same in effect or consequence, even if not identical.

in the same ballpark as

An informal expression indicating that values are close in magnitude.

close to

A more general phrase that indicates proximity in value or amount.

not far from

Suggests a small difference, implying that one value is a short distance from another.

FAQs

How do I use "almost equal to" in a sentence?

Use "almost equal to" to indicate that two values, quantities, or qualities are very close but not exactly the same. For example, "The price of the two items was "almost equal to" each other".

What are some alternatives to "almost equal to"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately equal to", "nearly equivalent to", or "roughly the same as" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "almost equal to" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost equal to" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when precision is not critical, and a slight difference exists. However, for highly precise contexts, consider providing specific values or margins of error.

What's the difference between "almost equal to" and "equal to"?

"Equal to" implies that two things are exactly the same. "Almost equal to" indicates they are very close but not identical. Using "approximately equal to" is useful when exact values are not necessary or available.