equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you need to express that two items are exactly the same. For example, "This new model of phone is equal to the one I bought last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're equal to them.

The New York Times

This was being equal to the night.

The New Yorker

It's equal to the House bill".

The New Yorker

A woman is equal to a man.

The New York Times

But Sir John was equal to that.

The Economist

One great is equal to three good.

The New York Times

(Dutch taste was equal to Dutch talent).

The New Yorker

Clearly equal to this kind of mark.

Independent

per cwt., equal to 300 per cent.

The Economist

One gram is equal to 0.001 kg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An erdab is equal to 150 kilograms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equal to" in mathematical or technical contexts, ensure the units of measurement are consistent on both sides of the equation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "equal to" when you actually mean "approximately equal to" or "similar to". Using "equal to" implies an exact equivalence, while approximations indicate a degree of difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal to" functions as a relational phrase, indicating that two entities or values share the same quantity, quality, or status. Ludwig AI states the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The examples show a variety of uses, from mathematical equations to comparisons of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

24%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equal to" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to denote equivalence across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and the collected examples demonstrate its prevalence in diverse domains such as news, science, and academia. While alternatives exist, "equal to" provides a clear and direct way to establish that two entities share the same value or attribute. It's important to ensure precise language and avoid using it when approximation is intended. Its widespread use suggests it is suitable for most communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to

Implies a similar value or effect, but might not be mathematically identical.

the same as

Indicates an identical quality or quantity.

identical to

Highlights exact correspondence or indistinguishability.

comparable to

Suggests a level of similarity that allows for comparison, but not necessarily exact equality.

tantamount to

Emphasizes that the effect or consequence is virtually the same.

matches

Signifies agreement or correspondence, often used in data or pattern recognition.

corresponds to

Highlights a relationship or mapping between two things.

on par with

Suggests a level of equality in terms of quality or performance.

akin to

Implies a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

in line with

Suggests alignment or agreement with a standard or expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "equal to" to show that two things have the same value or amount. For example, "In this equation, x is equal to 5."

What are some alternatives to using "equal to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "equivalent to", "the same as", or "identical to".

Is it correct to say "equal with" instead of "equal to"?

The correct phrase is "equal to". "Equal with" is not standard English and should be avoided.

What is the difference between "equal to" and "comparable to"?

"Equal to" indicates an exact equivalence, while "comparable to" suggests a similarity that allows for comparison but doesn't imply perfect equality.