equal in ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal in ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups that possess the same level of skill or competence in a particular area. Example: "In this competition, all participants are considered equal in ability, ensuring a fair chance for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That Hillary was her husband's equal in ability and acuity — if not, at the time, in political charisma — was a given.

The New Yorker

Granted, humans are not all equal in ability: There will always be some who are more wealthy — and others who constitute the bottom.

The New York Times

Jimmy and I were about equal in ability, but I worked harder and was able to stand higher in the class.

University of Chicago

The students discuss the material and debate the correct answers; the faculty are careful to make the teams roughly equal in ability so that those with more background can help the others.

Duke University

Economists Roger Noll and Gerald Scully have argued that competitive balance can be measured by comparing the actual level of balance we observe to the level of balance that would exist if teams were essentially equal in ability.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And for this reason, it must aim at equality, as all must be equal in their ability to make the same declaration.

University of Chicago

Bryant has been Jordan's equal in his ability to score the ball for a long time now.

The New York Times

I have never met Tom's equal in his ability to create and share that rare mixture of intense intellectual challenge and playfulness.

Stanford University

But entrusted with the reins of the most unequal city in an unequal country, in emphasising that "human beings who are already very far from equal in raw ability", he was plainly using his shattering fact to rally to the defence of an unequal order.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Michael Gove's former adviser, Dominic Cummings, claimed in a 250-page paper leaked last year that genes accounted for more of the variation between GCSE scores than schools, teachers, neighbourhoods or even families, another row ensued, particularly when, shortly afterwards, Boris Johnson observed that human beings were "very far from equal in raw ability".

The Guardian

He said: "No one can ignore the harshness of that competition, or the inequality that it inevitably accentuates, and I am afraid that violent economic centrifuge is operating on human beings who are already very far from equal in raw ability, if not spiritual worth".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, ensure the criteria for assessing "equal in ability" are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "equal in coding ability" or "equal in strategic thinking ability".

Common error

Avoid using "equal in ability" when the context lacks specificity. Saying "they are equal in ability" is less informative than "they are equal in their ability to lead a team and manage resources effectively". Always provide a clear frame of reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal in ability" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the level of skill or competence that different entities possess. It can serve as an adjective complement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equal in ability" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to describe comparable skill or competence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Although not very common, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic and Scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area of ability being compared. Alternatives include "equally skilled" and "comparable competence". This ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally skilled

Focuses specifically on the level of skill possessed.

on par in skill

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey comparable skill levels.

comparable competence

Emphasizes the level of competence rather than direct ability.

of equal skill

Rephrases the original to focus on the equality of skill.

equally capable

Highlights the capacity to perform at the same level.

matching proficiency

Indicates a similar level of expertise or proficiency.

equivalent aptitude

Stresses the natural talent or aptitude being similar.

on the same level of expertise

A more detailed way of saying they have similar expertise.

possessing similar talents

Focuses on the talents that contribute to the ability.

as competent as

Uses a comparative structure to indicate similar levels of competence.

FAQs

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

You can use "equal in ability" to compare individuals or groups, such as "The candidates were "equal in ability" to handle the project" or "Both teams were "equal in ability" when it came to problem-solving".

What are some alternatives to "equal in ability"?

Some alternatives include "equally skilled", "on par in skill", or "comparable competence", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "equal in ability"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to describe similar skill levels.

What's the difference between "equal in ability" and "equal ability"?

"Equal in ability" is used to compare two or more subjects, emphasizing their comparable skill levels. "Equal ability" is used to describe that something provides the same level of potential in comparison to something else. It is used without any preposition.