equal to you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equal to you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something has the same value, status, or quality as another person. Example: "In terms of experience and skills, I believe my qualifications are equal to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

You are everyone's equal, and everyone is equal to you".

The New York Times

Because that's what you are – by my definition of bigot –  if you oppose gay marriage because you happen to think that a large swathe of British society is not quite equal to you.

Independent

And to his credit, Olusoga often attempts to wriggle free from the constraints of not upsetting an audience prone to advance the argument that they bear no responsibility for the sins of their forebears ("nothing to do with me, mate. I'm working class and equal to you in the hierarchy of suffering").

The Guardian - Books

Their justification for urging pregnant rape victims to give birth, or ordering women with life-threatening pregnancies to literally drop dead, is that once the sperm hits the ovum, the resulting zygote is equal to you and me and has a right not to be aborted identical to our right not to be murdered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everyone is your equal, and everyone is equal to you".

Huffington Post

You must choose a feud partner who is somewhat equal to you in writing style.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Adults are equals to you and won't respond well if you show such signs in their presence.

WikiHow

For example, if you invested $1 million over 25 years, the additional 0.5% fee load on your portfolio would cost you an amount nearly equal to what you invested – a whopping $1 million in extra fees.

TechCrunch

It easily conveys that what you put in (food) is eventually equal to what you put out (energy, performance, etc).. What if we subscribed fully to the idea that we are what we sleep?

Huffington Post

"There's nothing wrong with beauty," she said, "but whether it's actually helping the female cause of being equal to men, you have to judge for yourself".

The Guardian - Music

The result, I learned, was equal to what you would accomplish on top of the stove.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equal to you" when you want to express that someone or something has the same value, status, or quality as the person you are addressing. For clarity, ensure the context makes clear what aspect is being compared.

Common error

Be specific about what is "equal". Saying "My experience is equal to you" is vague. Instead, clarify: "My years of experience are equal to you in the field", to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equal to you" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a state of equivalence or parity between the speaker and the person being addressed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from personal beliefs to abstract concepts of equality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equal to you" is a common and generally acceptable way to express equivalence or similarity, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, from personal beliefs to societal values. While grammatically sound, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the aspect of equivalence being discussed. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for many situations, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to use it thoughtfully to convey respect and avoid unintended ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same as you

Directly indicates identical attributes or qualities; very common.

on par with you

Emphasizes a similar level or standing; slightly more informal.

equivalent to you

Highlights functional or qualitative sameness; more formal.

comparable to you

Suggests similarity for the sake of comparison; neutral tone.

of equal standing to you

Emphasizes formal status or position; highly formal.

no different from you

Highlights the lack of distinction; emphasizes similarity by negation.

as good as you

Focuses on merit or quality being at the same level.

akin to you

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or character; less common.

a match for you

Suggests a similar capability or suitability; often used in competitive contexts.

in your league

Indicates a comparable level of skill or status; slightly informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "equal to you" to express similarity in status, value, or quality. For example, "In terms of experience and skills, I believe my qualifications are "equal to you"".

What's a more formal way to say "equal to you"?

A more formal alternative would be "equivalent to you" or "of equal standing to you". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are better suited for professional or academic settings.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "equal to you"?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In some situations, it might be more tactful to use alternatives like "on par with you" to avoid potential misunderstandings or perceived arrogance.

What can I say instead of "equal to you" in a competition context?

In a competitive scenario, you could say "a match for you" or "in your league" to suggest comparable skills or abilities.