equalise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'equalise' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to make something equal or to bring into a state of equality. Example: The new government policy aims to equalise the pay gap between men and women in the workplace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We came into the game more and more in the second half, the team became more confident and we had the chance to equalise.

The Guardian - Sport

On 13 minutes, Johnston won a tackle, moved the ball upfield, found his Blackpool colleague, Stan Mortensen, who sent Jackie Sewell, the inside-right, dashing through to equalise.

The Guardian - Sport

David Luiz put the home side ahead in the 10th minute only for Lionel Messi to equalise two minutes later at the end of a sharp move.

The Guardian - Sport

It is widely thought that the reform of the boundaries to equalise the size of constituency electorates would help the Conservatives substantially, since at present their MPs are in constituencies with larger numbers of voters.

The Guardian

Almería scored first and Real Sociedad equalised, then Almería scored again only for Real Sociedad to equalise again.

The Guardian - Sport

They were in front for just seven minutes though when a back heel from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was played through for Veron who scored with a low right-foot shot to equalise.

The Guardian - Sport

Nouha Dicko's double and Benik Afobe had given the hosts a 3-1 leafterter Charlie Taylor's opener but Neil Redfearn's side battled back to equalise, 16 minutes from time, before Edwards had the final say.

The Guardian - Sport

Schneiderlin opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal since September but a mistake from the Saints goalkeeper Kelvin Davis allowed Mame Diouf to equalise and the substitute Charlie Adam stole all three points with six minutes to go.

The Guardian - Sport

But the Slovenians recovered their poise to equalise when the Celtic defence was split open by Zeljko Filipovic.

The Guardian - Sport

Harry Arter fired them into an early lead with a 25-yard thunderbolt but Bruno Manga powered in a header to equalise in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

The standard answer is for cheap labour, but most big technology companies go there for the market," he says.Naturally, industries such as textiles and clothing will always seek places with cheap labour, hopping from country to country as wages rise and equalise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic contexts, clarify whether you are referring to equalising income, wealth, or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "equalise" when "equal" would suffice. "Equalise" implies a process of making something equal, while "equal" describes a state of being.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "equalise" is as a verb. It describes the action of making something equal or equivalent. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, which confirms that it's typically used to describe an action of adjusting or balancing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "equalise" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of making something equal or equivalent. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct and widely used term. Its applications span across diverse contexts, including news reporting, business discussions, and scientific analyses. While perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal settings, writers should be mindful of its precise meaning, ensuring it reflects the active process of creating equality rather than a static state. The best practice is to be specific about what is being equalised, and the most common error is using "equalise" when "equal" would suffice. Related phrases include "make equal", "level out", and "bring into equilibrium", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make equal

Focuses on the action of creating equality, slightly more direct.

adjust to be equal

Emphasizes the process of adjustment with the explicit goal of achieving equality.

bring into equilibrium

Emphasizes the state of balance achieved, suggesting a more dynamic process.

level out

Suggests a smoothing or flattening of differences, implying a reduction in variation.

balance out

Highlights the balancing aspect, often used when opposing forces are involved.

make uniform

Stresses creating a standardized or consistent appearance or quality.

bring into line

Implies adjusting something to conform to a standard or expectation.

harmonize

Suggests bringing elements into agreement or accord, often in a more abstract sense.

standardize

Focuses on establishing a common standard or norm.

homogenize

Implies making something uniform throughout, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "equalise" in a sentence?

"Equalise" is used to describe the process of making things equal. For example, "The government is trying to equalise opportunities for all citizens."

What's the difference between "equalise" and "equal"?

"Equal" describes a state of being, while "equalise" is a verb that means to make something equal. They are not interchangeable in most contexts.

Are there any synonyms for "equalise"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "make equal", "bring into equilibrium", or "level out" depending on the context.

Is "equalise" commonly used in formal writing?

"Equalise" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, particularly when describing the process of creating equality. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "standardize" or "harmonize" for a more nuanced meaning.