broadly equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broadly equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are similar in a general sense, even if they are not identical in every detail. Example: "The two proposals are broadly equivalent in terms of their objectives and expected outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is broadly equivalent to the numbers that would be seen by 12 district general hospitals.

The Guardian

It is broadly equivalent to the loss of 160 tigers or 93 pandas.

The Guardian

The Günz-Mindel Interglacial is also broadly equivalent to the Aftonian Interglacial Stage of North America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is broadly equivalent to the Nebraskan Glacial Stage of North America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Put another way, that's broadly equivalent to the annual CO2 output of 50,000 Britons.

The Guardian

It is broadly equivalent to the Sangamon Interglacial Stage of North America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the world of big law, equity partnership is broadly equivalent to being on a board of directors.

The Guardian

Their NDCs earn interest at a rate broadly equivalent to the growth of the payroll-tax base.

The Economist

I would add further that the combination of the two is broadly equivalent to the pay and pension of the outgoing CEO of the FSA.

The Guardian - Business

The Weichsel is correlated with the Würm Glacial Stage of Alpine Europe and is broadly equivalent to the Wisconsin Glacial Stage of North America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Mr Brown chooses a 2% HICP target, it will be broadly equivalent to raising the current RPIX target to 2.75%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broadly equivalent" when you want to indicate that two or more things are similar in most respects, but not necessarily identical in every detail. This allows for minor variations or differences.

Common error

Avoid using "broadly equivalent" when you need to express exact or precise equivalency. In such cases, use terms like "identical" or "exactly the same" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly equivalent" functions as a modifier, typically used to describe the degree to which two or more entities are similar but not identical. It suggests a general comparability, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broadly equivalent" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express similarity without implying exact equivalence. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias. It is most suitable when a general comparison is intended, acknowledging that minor differences may exist. When greater precision is needed, alternatives such as "virtually identical" should be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally comparable

Emphasizes the similarity for general comparison, but not necessarily identical.

roughly similar

Indicates an approximate similarity, suggesting slight differences are present.

largely analogous

Highlights the analogy or resemblance in key aspects.

substantially similar

Focuses on the significant degree of similarity, perhaps with minor discrepancies.

mostly corresponding

Stresses the point-by-point agreement or correlation, but allows for some deviations.

virtually identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

fairly uniform

Focuses on the consistency and lack of significant variation.

reasonably alike

Suggests a moderate level of similarity that is acceptable or adequate.

comparable on the whole

Highlights overall similarity, acknowledging that individual differences may exist.

more or less equal

Implies near equality, with minor variations that do not significantly affect the overall equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "broadly equivalent" in a sentence?

Use "broadly equivalent" to describe items or concepts that are similar in most aspects but not necessarily identical. For example, "The two approaches are "broadly equivalent" in their objectives."

What phrases are similar to "broadly equivalent"?

Alternatives include "generally comparable", "roughly similar", or "largely analogous". Choose the best fit based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "virtually identical" instead of "broadly equivalent"?

While both phrases indicate similarity, "virtually identical" suggests a higher degree of resemblance than "broadly equivalent". Use "virtually identical" when the items are almost the same, and "broadly equivalent" when they share key characteristics but may have notable differences.

What is the difference between "broadly equivalent" and "roughly equivalent"?

"Broadly equivalent" suggests a general similarity across multiple aspects, while "roughly equivalent" implies an approximate or less precise level of similarity. Therefore, "roughly equivalent" indicates a less precise similarity.