an equal match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an equal match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two parties or competitors are evenly matched in skill, ability, or strength. Example: "In the championship game, both teams were an equal match, making for an exciting and unpredictable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Trump's lawyers left the distinct public impression that they were not an equal match for Mueller, a venerated former FBI director.

The Washington Post

"I thought we deserved more tonight, we were more than an equal match for them.

BBC

Once in a while you get to watch an equal match between fighters whose different strengths add suspense to the ordeal.

Huffington Post

An equal match for Larson is Jacob Tremblay, the 8-year-old "Smurfs 2" actor who portrays her long-haired son, Jack.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We lost in a very equal match," Abreu said.

The New York Times - Sports

TRANSLATION: "Your photos plus our advertisers equals a match made in hipster heaven".

The Guardian

A recently completed study compared concreteness training vs. an equal-duration bogus training condition matched for rationale, vs. a waiting-list control condition in a dysphoric sample (Watkins, Baeyens, & Read, in press).

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Alternatively, CNT could be compared with an equal-duration bogus training condition, matched for rationale and duration but lacking its active ingredients, to unpack the contribution of shared non-specific factors.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Everything added up – white woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and carrying a bi-racial baby plus white adoptive parents that were open to a baby of any race equals an adoption match made in heaven.

HuffPost

If the oak genome was composed totally of random nucleotides (i.e. the nucleotides are independent and the frequency of each one is ¼), then the probability that two 100 bp sequences with 90% sequence identity have a match equals p0 = 0.2590 = 6.5 × 1.e-55.

BMC Genomics

The victory was their first of the season and snapped a club record-equalling 11-match losing streak going back to July.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an equal match", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for comparison (e.g., skill, strength, resources) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an equal match" when the entities being compared are fundamentally different in nature or scale. It's crucial to ensure there is a genuine basis for comparison to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equal match" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. It describes a state of balance or parity between two or more entities, commonly found in contexts involving competition, comparison, or evaluation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

25%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equal match" is a phrase used to denote parity or balance between entities, most commonly in competitive contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various registers. While not exceptionally frequent, this phrase effectively communicates comparability. When employing "an equal match", ensure that the basis for comparison is evident and appropriate to the situation. Alternatives such as "a balanced pairing" or "a fair contest" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a balanced pairing

Focuses on the equilibrium and symmetry between two entities, highlighting fairness and equal opportunity.

a level playing field

Emphasizes the fairness of the competition environment, where advantages are absent.

a fair contest

Highlights justice and equal chance of winning in a challenge or conflict.

a close game

Underscores the balanced nature of a sporting competition or challenge, close to a tie or draw.

a comparable counterpart

Stresses the similarity and equivalence in functionality or importance of two distinct parts.

a matching pair

Highlights the balance and resemblance of two items or individuals regarding specific features.

a parallel situation

Implies two separate instances or situations that share considerable similarities.

a balanced equation

Symbolizes a state where two or more elements maintain equilibrium, equalizing forces.

a reciprocal arrangement

Emphasizes the mutual or cooperative exchange where two parties perform the same actions for each other.

a symbiotic partnership

Underlines the mutual reliance and benefit that separate entities or individuals get from a collaboration.

FAQs

How can I use "an equal match" in a sentence?

You can use "an equal match" to describe situations where two entities are very similar in skill, power, or ability. For example, "The two chess players proved to be an equal match, resulting in a long and intense game".

What are some alternatives to "an equal match"?

Alternatives include "a balanced pairing", "a fair contest", or "a close game", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "an equal match"?

It's appropriate when describing situations where the participants are so closely aligned in skill or attributes that predicting an outcome is difficult. This is commonly used in sports, debates, or competitions of any kind.

Is there a difference between saying "an equal match" and "a close match"?

While similar, "an equal match" suggests a fundamental parity in ability or attributes, whereas "a close match" simply implies that the competition was tightly contested, regardless of the underlying abilities of the participants.