are equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are equivalent to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things that have the same value, meaning, or importance. You can use "are equivalent to" in a sentence when you want to emphasize the similarity or equality between two things. For example: 1. "In this equation, X and Y are equivalent to each other." 2. "The two companies' stock prices are equivalent to one another." 3. "The results of the study are equivalent to those of previous research." 4. "In terms of nutritional value, one serving of broccoli is equivalent to two servings of kale." 5. "Her actions are equivalent to breaking the law and should be punished accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Exports are equivalent to only 20% of global GDP.

The Economist

"We're talking about a region where yields are equivalent to those for irrigated land.

The New York Times

Unwin singled out National Vocational Qualifications at levels 1 and 2, which are equivalent to GCSEs.

The Guardian

The g-forces involved in most headers are equivalent to minor car crashes.

The New Yorker

Kenya's tax receipts are equivalent to almost 20% of its GDP.

The Guardian

Uninsured people buy them thinking they are equivalent to major medical coverage, but they are not".

The New York Times

(Those sums, in Taiwanese dollars, are equivalent to about $3 or $6).

The New York Times

Targets are equivalent to an earnings per share increase of around 0.8p.

The Guardian - Business

*An earlier version of this article misstated how many Iraqi dinars are equivalent to seventeen dollars.

The New Yorker

(However, Ryan was released in 1998, and adjusted for inflation its takings are equivalent to $373.6m).

The Guardian - Film

Full marks are equivalent to more than seven A-grade A-levels.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing values or amounts, be precise in specifying the units or metrics that "are equivalent to" each other to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are equivalent to" when you only mean that two things are correlated or similar. Equivalence implies a much stronger, almost interchangeable relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are equivalent to" functions primarily as a relational expression. It asserts that two distinct entities share a comparable value or status. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase highlights a strong degree of similarity and interchangeability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are equivalent to" is a versatile phrase used to assert that two things possess the same value or significance. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically sound and appropriate for comparing equal entities. The phrase is most prevalent in scientific and news contexts, indicating its utility in both technical and general communication. For alternative expressions, consider "are equal to" or "are the same as" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are equal to

Replaces "equivalent" with "equal", maintaining the core meaning of sameness in value or measure.

are the same as

Emphasizes the identical nature of the compared items, focusing on their shared characteristics.

are interchangeable with

Highlights the ability to use one item in place of the other without significant difference.

are comparable to

Indicates a similarity sufficient for comparison, though not necessarily perfect equivalence.

are on par with

Indicates that something is of equal quality or standing.

are analogous to

Suggests a parallel or resemblance between the items, often used in more abstract contexts.

are commensurate with

Implies a proportional or corresponding relationship in terms of size, degree, or amount.

amount to the same as

Focuses on the final result or effect being identical, despite potential differences in the process.

correspond to

Highlights a direct relationship or matching between two things, emphasizing their connection.

represent the same value as

Emphasizes that while the form may differ, the underlying worth or quantity is identical.

FAQs

How can I use "are equivalent to" in a sentence?

Use "are equivalent to" to show that two items, values, or concepts have the same significance or effect. For example, "In this context, these two methods "are equivalent to" each other".

What's a simple way to explain what "are equivalent to" means?

"Are equivalent to" means that two things are essentially the same in terms of value, function, or meaning. A simpler phrasing could be "are equal to".

Can I use "are similar to" instead of "are equivalent to"?

While "are similar to" suggests resemblance, "are equivalent to" indicates a much stronger, often interchangeable relationship. Choose the phrase that best reflects the relationship you're describing.

When is it incorrect to use the phrase "are equivalent to"?

It's incorrect to use "are equivalent to" when the items being compared are only loosely related or have minor similarities. Equivalence implies a high degree of sameness, unlike similarity.