equal to saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal to saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that one statement or idea has the same meaning or implication as another. Example: "To say that the project is behind schedule is equal to saying that we need to expedite our efforts to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is vigorously attacking the new government for corruption, an allegation roughly equal to saying that gambling was rife in wartime Casablanca.

The Economist

Well, one is hardly familiar with John Wesley's sermons, but I do know that to put George W. Bush's prose next to Hemingway's is equal to saying that Jackie Susann is right up there with Jane Austen.

The New Yorker

To say that hip-hop has evolved over the last 25 years — since the days when rappers such as Ice-T and Ice Cube were terrorizing the likes of Tipper Gore, who famously lobbied for the adoption of the Parental Advisory sticker — seems an almost-laughable understatement, equal to saying that the Internet has had some effect on the way we consume music.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Tokyo is home to nearly 38 million people: this is roughly equal to, say, 38 Birminghams.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, the Frankfurt Book Fair carries a cultural significance here equal to, say, a Subway Series in New York.

The New York Times - Books

Yes, because every lone citizen's voice is roughly equal to, say, the $3 million or so in negative advertising spent in Iowa to crush Gingrich.

The New York Times

Pokemon, it seems, may not be immune to children's very rapid aging process, in which 1.5 adult years can be equal to, say, 86 kiddie years.

The New York Times - Arts

Sometimes the term itself is not used, but an additional amount equal to, say, 20percentt of the stated value is shown on the policy.

The New York Times

It is equal to say for each language-specific category, it could "map onto connected regions (Croft 2001: 105)".

Lingua Sinica

The employee wedge is similar with η equal to say, 0.75, but would increase significantly more if η were taken to be less than 0.5.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Giving your team carte blanche is equal to you saying "I have no clue what I want so you figure it out".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equal to saying", ensure the comparison is clear and the audience will readily understand the equivalence.

Common error

Avoid using "equal to saying" when the compared statements are not truly equivalent, as this can lead to miscommunication and inaccurate assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal to saying" functions as a connector indicating equivalence or restatement. It links two expressions or ideas, asserting that they hold the same meaning or implication. Ludwig shows that this phrase commonly simplifies complex statements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equal to saying" functions as a connector to indicate equivalence, helping to clarify or simplify ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, though it's relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various explanatory contexts. When using the phrase, ensure a true equivalence between the statements to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like ""equivalent to stating"" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equivalent to stating

Replaces "saying" with "stating", implying a more formal articulation of the equivalent idea.

amounts to asserting

Emphasizes the act of declaring or insisting on the equivalent concept.

is tantamount to declaring

Highlights the nearly equivalent effect or value of the statement.

is synonymous with expressing

Focuses on the interchangeable nature of the expressions.

effectively conveys

Indicates the successful communication of the same idea.

is akin to articulating

Draws a parallel, suggesting a resemblance in the way the ideas are presented.

implies the same as conveying

Highlights the shared implicit meaning of the statements.

bears the same meaning as stating

Underscores the equivalent semantic content.

is just another way of communicating

Suggests a difference in wording without a change in essential information.

is simply putting it differently than suggesting

Focuses on the manner of expression rather than the core concept.

FAQs

What does "equal to saying" mean?

The phrase "equal to saying" means that one statement or action has the same effect or implies the same thing as another. It's used to simplify or clarify a more complex idea.

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

You can use "equal to saying" to equate two different expressions or ideas. For instance, "To say they're delaying the project is "equivalent to stating" they expect significant setbacks".

Are there alternatives to the phrase "equal to saying"?

Yes, you can use phrases like ""equivalent to stating"", "amounts to asserting", or "is tantamount to declaring" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "equal to saying" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "equal to saying" when you want to clarify a statement by relating it to another, more easily understandable expression. Use it when the two statements are genuinely equivalent.