equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

"equivalent to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two objects or ideas that are the same or very similar in value, amount, or importance. For example, "Five minutes of exercise is equivalent to taking a 30-minute walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's equivalent to $16.

The New York Times

That's equivalent to stealing.

The New York Times

Equivalent to twenty-four chickeggsggs".

The New Yorker

A rough equivalent to oneSafe is Keeper.

The New York Times - Tech

This state is equivalent to steady growth.

The Economist

They bear a date equivalent to 1351.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Ansbacher equivalent, to date, is euro17m.

The Economist

It is equivalent to a neighborhood association.

The New York Times

One kilocalorie is equivalent to 4.184 kilojoules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There's no equivalent to Justin Bieber".

The New York Times

Equivalent to NLOPT_FORCED_STOP.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equivalent to" when you want to show that two things have essentially the same value, meaning, or effect. Be precise in your comparison to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "equivalent to" when you mean "similar to" or "comparable to". "Equivalent to" implies a high degree of sameness, so using it loosely can mislead your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equivalent to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship of equality or correspondence. As Ludwig AI highlights, it connects two elements, asserting they hold the same value, effect, or meaning. Examples demonstrate its role in equating quantities, qualities, or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "equivalent to" is a prepositional phrase used to express a relationship of equality or correspondence between two things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in news, academic writing, and scientific contexts. When using "equivalent to", ensure you intend to convey a high degree of sameness, as misusing it for approximate comparisons can mislead your reader. Alternatives like "equal to" or "tantamount to" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equal to

This alternative is more direct and implies a precise equality.

tantamount to

This alternative suggests a similarity in effect or consequence, often negative.

comparable to

This implies a similarity that allows for comparison, but not necessarily exact equivalence.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in quality or character.

analogous to

This highlights a similarity in some respects, often used in explaining complex concepts.

interchangeable with

Implies that two things can be used in place of each other without significant difference.

on a par with

Suggests equality in status or quality.

corresponding to

This highlights a direct relationship or match between two things.

representing

Indicates a symbolic or functional equivalence.

in the same category as

This focuses on belonging to the same group or classification.

FAQs

How do I use "equivalent to" in a sentence?

Use "equivalent to" to show that two things have the same value or effect. For example, "Completing this course is equivalent to having five years of experience".

What can I say instead of "equivalent to"?

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

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

"Equivalent to" and "equal to" are often interchangeable, but "equivalent to" can sometimes imply a broader sense of correspondence beyond just numerical equality.

What's the difference between "equivalent to" and "similar to"?

"Equivalent to" suggests a very high degree of likeness, often implying interchangeability, whereas "similar to" indicates a resemblance but not necessarily an exact match.