equivalent thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equivalent thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing items, concepts, or ideas that have the same value, function, or meaning in a particular context. Example: "In this experiment, we can replace the original compound with an equivalent thing to observe similar results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"A human being is not an equivalent thing, but the book does take its silent and deadly space at the dinner table, if you like, and it will be another thing that's in the family".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We value things that we already own more highly than equivalent things we could easily buy.

The Economist

"Would I like to see them do what I suggested or some equivalent things?" he added.

The New York Times

"One criticism is 'how can those be equivalent things?' There's no good answer to that," Campbell says.

BBC

While there may be a conflict of culture between the beautiful game and its US equivalent one thing both sports have in common is an unhealthy number of players who have been accused of, and convicted for, rape.

Independent

Words are not only equivalent to things, they have varying degrees of equivalence to one another.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They give us the visual equivalent of things sorely needed today: an understanding of difference, and therefore, of tolerance.

The New York Times - Arts

BlackBerry's equivalent one-thing-well is email.

Huffington Post

If labour laws in South Carolina and Washington were equivalent, the only thing the workers in Puget Sound would have to worry about is whether their demands would lead the company to lose market share or to move production overseas.

The Economist

In the third line above, for instance, why is "not the pointed out" considered equivalent to "no thing is not the pointed out"?

SEP

Maybe it was a kind of hallucination, or maybe it was the auditory equivalent of that thing that happens when you spend all day doing some menial task picking apples, say and then, when you close your eyes that night, apples in their hundreds crowd the mind's eye.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equivalent thing" when you want to emphasize that two items, concepts, or ideas serve the same purpose or hold the same value within a particular context. Ensure the context clearly establishes the basis for equivalence.

Common error

Avoid using "equivalent thing" when the basis for equivalence is unclear or not properly defined. Always specify the criteria that make the two things equivalent to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equivalent thing" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "equivalent" modifies the noun "thing". It identifies something that has the same or nearly the same effect or meaning as something else. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equivalent thing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used to denote something that serves the same purpose or holds the same value as another. While it appears in varied contexts—including news, science, and encyclopedias—it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. For more formal or precise communication, alternatives such as "comparable item" or "analogous entity" may be more appropriate. Always ensure the basis for equivalence is clearly defined to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparable item

Replaces "thing" with "item" to emphasize a specific object or unit being equivalent.

similar object

Emphasizes the similarity in terms of being an object rather than a more abstract "thing".

equal counterpart

Highlights the equality and corresponding nature of the item.

analogous entity

Uses a more formal term, "entity", and "analogous" to suggest a parallel or similarity in function or structure.

corresponding element

Focuses on the "element" as a part of a whole that has an equivalent in another context.

matching item

Highlights the "matching" aspect of the equivalent, suggesting a direct correspondence.

identical substitute

Emphasizes that the alternative is not only similar, but "identical" and can be used as a "substitute".

interchangeable element

Focuses on the ability to "interchange" the "element" with something else.

duplicate object

Highlights that the object is an exact "duplicate" of another object.

parallel concept

Moves the equivalence to a "concept" rather than a physical item.

FAQs

How can I use "equivalent thing" in a sentence?

You can use "equivalent thing" to compare items, concepts, or ideas that share the same value or function. For instance, "In this experiment, we can use a substitute compound that is an "equivalent thing" to the original to achieve similar results."

What can I say instead of "equivalent thing"?

Alternatives to "equivalent thing" include "comparable item", "similar object", or "equal counterpart", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "equivalent thing" and "similar thing"?

"Equivalent thing" implies a stronger degree of sameness in value or function, while "similar thing" suggests a resemblance but not necessarily complete interchangeability.

When is it appropriate to use "equivalent thing" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly establish that two items or concepts serve the same purpose or have the same value. However, consider more precise terms like "analogous entity" or "corresponding element" for a more sophisticated tone.