equalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'equalize' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to making something equal or even, such as in the sentence, "The teacher tried to equalize the workloads of her students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, one tries to equalize outcomes for equally deserving individuals first, and then applies a utilitarian calculus.

SEP

In contemporary political philosophy there is a lot of discussion surrounding what has come to known as the "Equality of what?" debate: If we assume that it is desirable for there to be equality between individuals, what should we be fundamentally concerned to equalize?

SEP

But radical schemes for property re-distribution are ruled out; the axiomatic requirement that each be treated equally, that the happiness of each be counted, justified policies to equalize the distribution of goods only where this could be achieved without disappointing legitimate expectations.

SEP

It is usually harder to equalize pressures on descent than on ascent, as a vacuum is created in the middle ear that more tightly seals the eustachian tubes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I believe the present situation cries out for legislation to equalize the power now held by labor with that of the public, the government, and management.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One way to equalize the two processes is to decrease metabolism to a level sustainable by maximum intake, which may be limited by the ability to extract food from a meagre habitat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his 10-point program raised in 1043, Fan attempted to abolish nepotism and corruption, reclaim unused land, equalize landholdings, create a strong local militia system, reduce the labour services required of the people, and reform the civil service examination system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In those diseases in which there is loss of salt in excess of water loss, the decreased concentration of sodium in the extracellular fluid and in the blood serum results in decreased osmotic pressure, and water therefore enters the cells to equalize the osmotic pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These derived from the ideas of social Christianity regarding "the just wage" and had originally been introduced by Christian employers on a private basis; special funds were later set up to equalize financial burdens among employers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is always a system of levers between the two axles to equalize the load.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wealth redistribution through steeper inheritance taxes, promotion of broader ownership (e.g., greater worker ownership), and socialization or redistribution of capital and land equally to all citizens are ways to reduce income inequality indirectly, as they will equalize the unearned income that derives from ownership of wealth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equalize" in the context of social justice, ensure you clearly define what aspect you are trying to make equal, for example, "equalize opportunities" or "equalize access to resources."

Common error

Avoid using "equalize" without specifying what is being made equal. Saying "we need to equalize" is vague. Instead, be specific: "we need to equalize salaries between men and women."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "equalize" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of making two or more things equal. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard English usage, as illustrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equalize" functions as a transitive verb that describes the act of making something equal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, appearing in various contexts from scientific literature to news articles. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone and expresses the purpose of achieving equality or balance. Common contexts for "equalize" include encyclopedias, science, and news media, while related phrases include "make equal" and "balance out". A key writing tip is to avoid vagueness by specifying what you are trying to "equalize". Overall, "equalize" is a versatile and frequently used term for expressing the concept of achieving equality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make equal

Focuses on the action of creating equality.

Level the playing field

Idiomatic expression emphasizing fairness by removing advantages.

Make equivalent

Stresses the creation of equivalence in value or amount.

Even out

Suggests removing irregularities or differences.

Bring into line

Highlights aligning disparate elements.

Balance out

Emphasizes achieving equilibrium or a state of balance.

Harmonize

Implies creating agreement or consonance between different elements.

Standardize

Focuses on establishing a uniform standard or norm.

Normalize

Implies bringing something to a normal or usual state.

Compensate

Highlights making up for a deficit or imbalance.

FAQs

How can I use "equalize" in a sentence?

You can use "equalize" to describe the act of making things equal. For instance, "The government implemented policies to equalize income distribution" or "The referee's decision helped to equalize the score".

What are some alternatives to the word "equalize"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "make equal", "balance out", or "level the playing field".

Is it correct to say "equalize between" or "equalize among"?

While technically not incorrect, it is more common and stylistically preferable to use "equalize" directly followed by the object being equalized. For example, "equalize opportunities" is better than "equalize between opportunities".

What does it mean to "equalize pressure" in diving or flying?

In diving or flying, to "equalize pressure" means to adjust the pressure in your ears to match the surrounding pressure, typically by performing maneuvers like yawning or swallowing to open the Eustachian tubes.