equivalent to how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equivalent to how" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are comparing two methods or approaches, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The results of the experiment were equivalent to how we expected them to turn out."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is equivalent to how far light travels over the course of one year, roughly 9,000 trillion meters.

Harvard University

It's also equivalent to how much it costs to grow one hectare of table grapes over 15 years.

BBC

Today Marissa Mayer revealed that it now gets 12,000 resumes each week, equivalent to how many employees the company has today.

TechCrunch

Although each of the seniors found a job in basketball after graduation, it's not likely any of these women is being paid a wage equivalent to how much revenue I estimate they were worth their last year in college.

Forbes

This system will be able to power around 30,000 homes at max capacity, which Tesla says is equivalent to how many were without power during a storm that caused a state-wide blackout in South Australia in 2016.

TechCrunch

As a customer service consultant, I find that any initiative to improve customer service in the public schools and public education, whether K12 or beyond, can benefit from first clarifying how educators are and aren't "in customer service" (in a way that is equivalent to how that term is used in a commercial organization).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In general, learning how to make a dreamcatcher necklace is equivalent to learning how to weave a net.

WikiHow

Because species are groups of populations reproductively isolated from one another, asking about the origin of species is equivalent to asking how reproductive isolation arises between populations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But inventing a new piece of biology that alters the natural characteristics of plants, animals, or humans is not equivalent to discovering how an existing piece of biology works.

Harvard Business Review

appeared in a strong light, when it was said, and could not be denied, that to determine the manner in which a citizen may relinquish his right of citizenship, is equivalent to determining how he shall be divested of that right.

Cornell University

You just have to pick up a modern equivalent to feel how empty of stuff they are.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more direct alternatives such as "similar to" or "comparable to" for increased clarity in writing.

Common error

Avoid using "equivalent to how" when you actually mean "similar to" or "related to". Equivalence implies a direct and measurable correspondence, not just a general resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equivalent to how" functions as a comparative expression, used to draw a parallel between two things by highlighting their similarity or functional equivalence. As Ludwig AI notes, while understandable, the phrase is not the most precise way to convey this meaning. This means that the phrase is mostly used to highlight some correlation between two events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "equivalent to how" serves to draw comparisons, but it isn't always the most precise or clear choice. Ludwig AI suggests that it is better to rephrase for clarity. Its usage spans across news, academic, and scientific domains, indicating a neutral register, but simpler alternatives like "similar to" or "comparable to" may often be preferable for increased clarity and directness. Use the alternative with a clear, defined comparison to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same way as

Highlights similarity in method or process.

in a similar fashion to how

Suggests a parallel in style or method, often in a detailed manner.

similar to the way

Focuses on similarity in manner or method, rather than strict equivalence.

corresponding to how

Focuses on a direct correspondence or relationship in method.

comparable to the manner in which

Emphasizes a parallel in method or approach.

much like how

Emphasizes the extent of similarity between two things.

akin to how

Suggests a resemblance or similarity, often in a less precise or technical sense.

like the way

A more informal way of drawing a comparison, focusing on similarity.

resembling the way

Highlights a visual or structural similarity.

just as

Establishes a direct parallel or similarity between two things.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "equivalent to how" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "similar to", "comparable to", or "in the same way as" depending on the specific context to enhance clarity.

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

"Equivalent to how" implies a direct and measurable correspondence, whereas "similar to how" suggests a resemblance without necessarily being identical.

Is "equivalent to how" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "equivalent to how" isn't always the most precise phrasing. It's often better to use clearer alternatives for improved readability.

When is it appropriate to use "equivalent to how" in a sentence?

Use "equivalent to how" when you want to show a direct correspondence or functional similarity between two methods or situations, though consider if a simpler phrase might be clearer.