equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing things that are equal in value, function, or meaning. Example: "The two methods are equivalent in terms of their effectiveness in solving the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

Should Macclesfield make it to the fourth round for only the second time in their history and get paired away from home in a televised match against one of the Premier League big boys, it would be the equivalent of a lottery win.

The Guardian - Sport

A successful sub-label in the Lauren empire, Polo peddles preppy classics to men but this was the first time the brand has created the equivalent wardrobe for its female customer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Children make up a third of the fatalities – the equivalent of one child killed each hour over the previous two days.

The Guardian

The equivalent of one in every five dollars of revenues at Chevron was poured back into capital projects last year, totalling $37.1bn.

The Guardian

They have pumped new revenues equivalent to 0.6% of the GDP in Kenya alone.

The Guardian

Since when has a major equivalent museum (National Gallery, Louvre or Prado) had as its remit the requirement to be "fun" (Tate Britain needs to put the fun into art, 2 April)?

The Guardian - Arts

The BBC's 108 highest-paid bosses – including those on salaries of £150,000 or more – reduced the total amount of expenses they claimed in the first three quarters of this financial year by 14.1% compared with the equivalent period in 2009/10.

The Guardian

Rather than acting as a tool to unearth the fragility of the human psyche, the effect is the equivalent to Dirty Dancing if Johnny Castle was crippled by, say, Tourette syndrome.

The Guardian - Film

But ITV can take some consolation from the fact that Strictly Come Dancing judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli have set a precedent and already appear as judges on both BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing and its American equivalent Dancing with the Stars, which airs on the US network ABC.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It mandates a 50% reduction in petroleum use by vehicles by 2030, the equivalent of removing 36m cars and trucks from the road.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equivalent", ensure the context clearly defines what aspects are being considered equal. For example, specify whether you're referring to value, function, or effect.

Common error

Avoid using "equivalent" in vague situations where the basis of comparison is unclear. Always specify what makes the items or concepts being compared "equivalent" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The term "equivalent" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something that is equal or virtually equal to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly used to establish a sense of equality in value, meaning, or effect. For example, "the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "equivalent" is a versatile adjective frequently used to denote equality or near-equality between different entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific domains. While the term is adaptable, clarity is key: always specify the basis of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "equal", "comparable", and "tantamount" can be used to add nuance, but "equivalent" remains a solid choice for establishing a direct relationship of equality. Its presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad acceptance in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equal

Direct synonym; indicates an exact match in value or amount.

of the same value

Emphasizes that the worth or importance is identical.

comparable

Suggests a similarity that allows for comparison, but not necessarily identical.

virtually identical

Highlights that two things are nearly the same, with negligible differences.

tantamount

Implies that two things are virtually equal in their effect or significance.

corresponding

Implies a direct relationship or similarity between two things.

analogous

Indicates a similarity in some respects, often used to explain complex concepts.

on a par

Suggests equality in status or quality.

interchangeable

Suggests that two things can be used in place of each other without altering the outcome.

akin

Means similar in quality or character.

FAQs

How to use "equivalent" in a sentence?

Use "equivalent" to show that two things are equal or virtually equal in some respect. For instance, "The two methods are "equivalent" in terms of their efficiency."

What can I say instead of "equivalent"?

You can use alternatives like "equal", "comparable", or "tantamount" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "equivalent to" or "equivalent with"?

"Equivalent to" is the correct and more common usage. "Equivalent with" is less frequent and may sound awkward in formal writing. Use "equivalent to" to maintain clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "equivalent" and "comparable"?

"Equivalent" implies a stronger degree of equality or sameness, while "comparable" suggests similarity that allows for comparison, but not necessarily identical. Choose "equivalent" when you want to emphasize near-perfect equality.