equal circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or conditions that are the same or comparable for all parties involved. Example: "In order to ensure fairness, all participants must compete under equal circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And then an important question is whether these more equal circumstances are going to persist as these generations grow older.

University of California, Berkeley

That not everyone is born into equal circumstances is something even the most idealistic of us has probably come to terms with as an immutable aspect of the human condition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Notice the transition from (1) the insurance decisions you actually make to (2) the insurance decisions you would have made under imagined equal circumstances to (3) the insurance decisions the average member of society would have made under hypothetical equal circumstances.

SEP

In order to create equal circumstances at the time of the measurements, all appointments for data acquisition were planned in the morning.

Plosone

We have used a well-matched control group admitted under equal circumstances as these "real life patients".

BMC Psychiatry

When SPs are used for role playing clinical scenarios during examinations, the emphasis is on standardization of the SPs to ensure consistent role play as this is important for creating fair and equal circumstances for examinees.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As a legal status, citizenship remains the keystone of contemporary conceptions: its normative core is the principle that citizens shall enjoy equal rights, although most would now agree that, in certain circumstances, equal consideration of individuals' interests may justifiably result in differential treatment from the state.

SEP

We have to deepen our understanding, make ourselves more equal to circumstances, more easy with what we have been given or not given.

HuffPost

43 As Rwanda is a small country with 10 million inhabitants living under rather equal life circumstances, we believe the findings of this study can be generalised to the entire population.

BMJ Open

The total number of parliamentary ballots should — under normal circumstances — equal the total number of presidential ballots in each box.

The Washington Post

Similarly, you'd be unlikely to find someone to convincingly argue that "crime is crime" and that all sentencing should be equal, regardless of circumstances or mitigating factors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing fairness or impartiality, use "equal circumstances" to emphasize that everyone involved is subject to the same conditions. This helps to clarify the basis for equitable treatment or assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "equal circumstances" when you actually mean "identical circumstances". While "equal" suggests fairness and balance, "identical" indicates a complete sameness. Ensure your choice reflects the specific context accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal circumstances" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier to describe the conditions under which an action occurs. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that conditions are standardized to ensure fairness or comparability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "equal circumstances" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes standardized or comparable conditions. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to convey fairness and objectivity. While "equal circumstances" can appear in various contexts, it's most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic writing. To maintain precision, ensure that "equal" accurately reflects the intention, distinguishing it from terms like "identical". Ludwig's analysis and the examples provided suggest that the phrase is well-understood and correctly used, although less frequent than other similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identical conditions

Emphasizes the sameness of the conditions, implying no difference whatsoever.

comparable situations

Highlights the similarity between situations, suggesting they are alike enough to be compared.

equivalent scenarios

Focuses on the equivalence of the scenarios, implying they yield similar outcomes or experiences.

uniform environments

Stresses the consistency and lack of variation in the environments.

standardized conditions

Highlights that conditions have been made consistent and follow a standard.

level playing field

An idiom that signifies fairness and equal opportunity.

balanced situations

Suggests equilibrium and fairness in the situations being considered.

fair conditions

Highlights the impartiality and justice of the conditions.

similar situations

Focuses on the likeness of the situations, although not necessarily identical.

common ground

Highlights a shared baseline or starting point.

FAQs

How can I use "equal circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "equal circumstances" to describe situations where fairness is ensured by providing the same conditions for everyone involved. For instance, "The test was administered under "equal circumstances" to ensure a fair evaluation of all candidates."

What's the difference between "equal circumstances" and "similar conditions"?

"Equal circumstances" implies a deliberate effort to create identical or near-identical conditions for all involved. "Similar conditions", on the other hand, suggests a resemblance but doesn't necessarily imply intentional standardization. Using "equal circumstances" often highlights a commitment to fairness.

What are some alternatives to using "equal circumstances"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "identical conditions", "comparable situations", or "uniform environments". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to ensure "equal circumstances"?

While striving for "equal circumstances" is often desirable for fairness, it's not always feasible or necessary. In some situations, allowing for differences in conditions may be more equitable, acknowledging individual needs or mitigating disadvantages. It depends on the specific context and goals.