an equal number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an equal number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two different things that each have the same amount. For example: "Each group was given an equal number of apples and oranges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their gain in Minnesota, however, was leveled by Republicans' flipping up an equal number of seats.

The Washington Post

"Almost an equal number of media people," he said.

The New York Times

Symmetrical nuclei have an equal number of protons and neutrons.

Nature

There are an equal number of each type of monster.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

My classmates had an equal number of commitments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Probably, it was born with an equal number of each.

The Economist

Our sample included an equal number of Democrats, Republicans and independents, as well as an equal number of men and women.

The Washington Post

But almost immediately Republicans began demanding an equal number of seats on the committees.

The New York Times

There are an equal number of watchfaces to choose from too.

The Guardian - Tech

"I handle an equal number of emotional and medical cases," she said.

The New York Times - Style

They can't be lumped together and traded for an equal number of other writers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying what has "an equal number of". Avoid ambiguity by stating explicitly what items or entities are being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "an equal number of" with non-countable nouns. Instead, use "an equal amount of". For example, say "an equal amount of water" not "an equal number of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equal number of" functions as a determiner phrase. It modifies a noun to specify that the quantity or count of something is the same as another. Ludwig confirms that it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equal number of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that two or more things have the same quantity. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. It is most frequently found in news media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When writing, use "an equal number of" with countable nouns and ensure that what is being compared is clearly specified. Alternatives include "the same quantity of" or "an equivalent amount of", depending on the noun type.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than the count.

an equivalent amount of

Substitutes "number" with "amount", highlighting the total sum or measure.

an identical quantity of

Uses "identical" to stress the exact sameness in quantity, adding a stronger emphasis on precision.

a matching quantity of

Emphasizes the correspondence or pairing of quantities, suggesting a deliberate matching.

a like number of

Uses "like" to indicate similarity or equivalence in number, offering a slightly more concise alternative.

the equivalent count of

Changes "number" to "count", focusing on the act of counting and the resulting equivalent value.

a corresponding amount of

Implies a proportional or related equivalence, often used when one quantity is linked to another.

an indistinguishable quantity of

Replaces "equal" with "indistinguishable" to convey quantities that are so similar that they cannot be told apart.

a balanced proportion of

Replaces "equal number" with "balanced proportion" which describes a harmonious or equitable distribution.

a comparable quantity of

Changes "equal" to "comparable" denoting that the quantities are similar enough to be compared or considered together.

FAQs

How can I use "an equal number of" in a sentence?

Use "an equal number of" to indicate that two or more groups or sets have the same quantity. For example, "We need "an equal number of" male and female participants for the study".

What are some alternatives to "an equal number of"?

You can use alternatives like "the same quantity of", "an equivalent amount of", or "a matching quantity of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an equal amount of" instead of "an equal number of"?

While both express equivalence, "an equal number of" is used with countable nouns, whereas "an equal amount of" is used with non-countable nouns. Therefore, usage depends on the noun being quantified.

What is the difference between "an equal number of" and "equal numbers of"?

"An equal number of" is more commonly used and grammatically standard. "Equal numbers of" is less frequent but still understandable, though it might sound slightly less formal.