an exact equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

'an exact equivalent' is an acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that two things are identical or that one thing can be replaced by something of equal value. For example, "The dollar value of one gold bar is an exact equivalent of $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Android does not have an exact equivalent, but there are plenty of alternatives.

The New York Times

There isn't always an exact equivalent for a word or phrase: it's the effect of it that matters.

The Guardian - Books

Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream, but the cold, sweet, creamy stuff that Italians scoop is not an exact equivalent of the American version.

The New York Times - Food

There is no adequate evidence that this type of garden had an exact equivalent in the Classical period, although there is evidence that each of its elements existed.

Britannica

I lived once in Greece where the word for newspaper is "ephemeritha", an exact equivalent of the French, though to an English ear rather odd.

The Guardian - Books

In Merwin's translation you can lose the forest for the trees; he often finds an exact equivalent for each Italian word in a given passage, without, however, conveying the overall color, rhythm and even sense.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

No one could call Endless Boogie unprecedented, but their take on essentially familiar sounds, perhaps due to that krautrocky minimalism and rolling-boil feel, seems without any exact equivalent; it's certainly without any serious competition.

The Guardian - Music

Most of the menu is in robust, plain English, with the exception of a few terms with no exact equivalent: onglet (a French steak cut), gremolata (an Italian lemon-peel dressing) and "méthode anglaise" (a French-baiting term for English sparkling wine).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mansel Stimpson (Letters) says that what voters opted for in the 2016 EU referendum was the exact equivalent of a house purchaser making an offer for a house that looked attractive, with, he appears to assume, the possibility of a rethink if a subsequent survey revealed a different picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this direction, a suitable and novel exact equivalent functions (EF) is introduced.

Scientia Iranica

A 1% decrease in income today is treated as the exact equivalent of a 1% decrease in income 200 years from today.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an exact equivalent" to highlight that one thing can substitute another without any loss of quality or function.

Common error

While "exact equivalent" emphasizes precision, sometimes "equivalent" alone is sufficient. Overusing "exact" can make your writing sound repetitive or unnecessarily formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exact equivalent" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. Ludwig examples show it describing something that has the same value, function, or effect as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33.3%

Science

33.3%

Encyclopedias

11.1%

Less common in

Wiki

11.1%

Academia

11.1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exact equivalent" is a versatile noun phrase used to indicate that two things are identical or interchangeable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples demonstrate its frequent use across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of its emphasis on precision, which might be unnecessary in less formal settings. Alternatives like "precise counterpart" or "perfect match" offer similar meanings with potentially different nuances. Avoid overuse in casual contexts, opting for "equivalent" when absolute precision isn't required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an identical version

Focuses on the sameness between two versions or instances.

a precise counterpart

Emphasizes accuracy and similarity in function or form.

a perfect match

Highlights the identical nature, with a focus on suitability or pairing.

a duplicate

Points to a reproduction of something else, exact in its core features.

a direct parallel

Suggests a clear and obvious resemblance or correspondence.

a facsimile

Emphasizes an accurate reproduction or imitation of an original.

a carbon copy

Implies an indistinguishable reproduction or imitation.

a clone

Emphasizes that something is an exact copy.

a dead ringer

Indicates something that is virtually identical, often used informally.

a spitting image

Suggests a very close resemblance, especially in appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "an exact equivalent" to indicate that something is identical or virtually interchangeable with something else. For instance, "The value of the shares is "an exact equivalent" to the amount of debt."

What are some alternatives to "an exact equivalent"?

Alternatives include "a precise counterpart", "a perfect match", or "a direct parallel". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "equivalent" and "an exact equivalent"?

"Equivalent" suggests a similar value or function, while "an exact equivalent" stresses that the value or function is identical. Therefore, "an exact equivalent" implies a higher level of precision and interchangeability.

When is it appropriate to use "an exact equivalent" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in situations where you need to highlight a precise and unambiguous substitution or correspondence. Using it can be beneficial in technical, legal, or scientific contexts, where precision is paramount.