equate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of considering two or more things as equal or similar in some way. Example: "Many people tend to equate success with wealth, but true success can mean different things to different individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or maybe it's because she's been stuck with Brannan, so all the viewers will subconsciously equate the image of her with the image of Gerard Butler's corpse.

The Guardian - Film

"Whether it's my childhood or whatever, for someone to equate that with what I do as an actor is up to them, but it's too convenient to say it's because he grew up like this, that's why he's like that.

The Guardian - Film

It has been suggested that the more a black woman adopts western standards of beauty – which tend to equate being thin with being beautiful – the more likely she is to suffer from an eating disorder.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would equate to about 5,000 jobs being lost out of 26,000 and could strip out about £900m in annual costs.

The Guardian - Business

This is partly because everyone is careful not to equate socialism and national socialism, and partly because the Left party (Die Linke) which has entertained an ambiguous relationship to the East German past, has become a force to be reckoned with.

The Guardian - Opinion

Surveys of economic sanctions always equate "hurting" with "working".

The Guardian - Opinion

When I got to 21 and I was introduced to acting again, I didn't equate the images I'd seen as a child with the theatre - it didn't seem to me to be the same world".

The Guardian - Film

The current Newstart rate is $510.1 a fortnight which will equate to about $10.20 an hour for their work in the Work for the Dole program.

The Guardian

Perhaps it was here that I came to equate the Tory party with the reactionary, the wilfully ignorant, the violent and the cruel.

The Guardian

Employers may equate your excess weight with a lazy lifestyle.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to equate the word blindness with skiing at 95mph.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equate" when you want to express that two things are considered to be of equal value or significance. Ensure that the context clearly supports this comparison.

Common error

Be careful not to "equate" things that have only superficial similarities. Ensure there's a substantive basis for the comparison to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "equate" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object. It expresses the act of considering something to be equal or equivalent to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "equate" functions as a transitive verb that suggests the consideration of two or more things as equal. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into diverse contexts, from formal news articles to casual discussions. Usage analysis reveals that it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as formal and business communications. While it is a common word, ensure it is not used for items or situations which share superficial similarities. By using "equate", you propose that different things can be viewed as fundamentally the same in a specific context. Consider using alternatives such as consider equal or liken to for slight differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider equal

Focuses on the act of deeming two things to have the same value or status.

treat as the same

Indicates handling different things in an identical manner.

regard as equivalent

Emphasizes the perception of things being functionally identical or interchangeable.

liken to

Draws a comparison suggesting resemblance or similarity, often metaphorical.

compare with

Highlights the process of assessing similarities and differences between items.

assimilate to

Implies integrating or blending something into a similar category or group.

draw an analogy between

Establishes a parallel relationship based on similar aspects or characteristics.

identify with

Suggests a strong connection or alignment, sometimes implying shared characteristics or feelings.

associate with

Implies a connection or link, often based on common characteristics or circumstances.

relate to

Highlights a connection or association between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "equate" in a sentence?

You can use "equate" to show that two things are considered equal or similar. For example, "Many people "equate" success with wealth."

What can I say instead of "equate"?

You can use alternatives like "consider equal", "regard as equivalent", or "liken to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "equate to"?

Yes, "equate to" is a valid construction that means 'to be equal to' or 'to amount to'. For example, "This would "equate" to about 5,000 jobs being lost."

What's the difference between "equate" and "compare"?

"Equate" means to consider as equal or equivalent, while "compare" means to examine the similarities or differences between things. You "equate" when you believe they are essentially the same in some way; you "compare" when you are analyzing their attributes.