an equivalent number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an equivalent number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities or values that are equal or comparable in some way. Example: "In this equation, we need to find an equivalent number that represents the same value as the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It requires seven times as many trucks to move an equivalent number of paper bags.

The New York Times

Well, that's not strictly true, but an equivalent number of people did at least.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new RX-8 is a sports car with not two doors, but four, and an equivalent number of seats.

The New York Times

"They try to raise an equivalent number of issues, but their concerns are not as concrete as ours".

The New York Times

The catalog of movies is updated with 10 or 20 new titles each week, and an equivalent number is retired.

The New York Times - Tech

The regional governor of Campania in the south promptly demanded the transfer of an equivalent number of ministries to Naples.

The Guardian

Governments put a limit on the amount firms can pollute, and issue an equivalent number of allowances.

The Economist

Mr. Cook said it took 24 years for Apple to sell an equivalent number of Macintosh computers.

The New York Times - Tech

About 50 Labour backbenchers want Beckett to defeat Bercow and are said to be teaming up with an equivalent number of Tory backbenchers to swing the vote.

The Guardian

The college has about 12,000 students enrolled in for-credit programs, with an equivalent number who take non-credit continuing education courses.

The New York Times

The company said then that two major shareholders had agreed to forfeit an equivalent number of shares of their own to avoid losses for other holders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an equivalent number", ensure the context clearly defines what the number is equivalent to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an equivalent number" without specifying what the number is equivalent to. For instance, instead of saying "We need an equivalent number", specify "We need an equivalent number of participants."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equivalent number" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity or amount that is equal or comparable to another. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently employed in contexts where a comparison of numerical values is relevant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equivalent number" is a versatile phrase used to denote a quantity that is equal or comparable to another. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts such as science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what the number is equivalent to, thereby avoiding ambiguity. Related phrases include "a comparable amount" and "a similar quantity", which can be used interchangeably depending on the specific nuance desired. Despite its broad applicability, precision in usage remains paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comparable amount

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

a similar quantity

Uses "quantity" instead of "number", focusing on the measurable aspect.

an equal quantity

Emphasizes equality in amount, slightly stronger than equivalence.

a corresponding figure

Substitutes "number" with "figure", suitable when dealing with numerical data.

an analogous amount

Uses "analogous" to suggest a similar but not necessarily identical quantity.

a proportionate number

Indicates a number that is in proportion to something else.

a like amount

Uses "like" to denote similarity, a more informal alternative.

a matching figure

Suggests an exact correspondence between two numerical values.

a parallel quantity

Highlights the parallel nature of the quantity, implying a direct relationship.

a relative quantity

Emphasizes the relative size of the quantity compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "an equivalent number" in a sentence?

Use "an equivalent number" to indicate a quantity that is equal or comparable to another. For example, "The company hired "an equivalent number" of women as men."

What phrases can I use instead of "an equivalent number"?

Alternatives include "a comparable amount", "a similar quantity", or "an equal quantity" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "an equivalent number" or "the same number"?

"An equivalent number" implies a comparable quantity, while "the same number" indicates an identical quantity. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship between the numbers being discussed.

What's the difference between "an equivalent number" and "a proportionate number"?

"An equivalent number" suggests the same quantity or amount. "A proportionate number" indicates a quantity that is in proportion to something else. For example, if something doubles, "a proportionate number" would also double.