equivalent to saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equivalent to saying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to clarify that one statement or expression has the same meaning as another. Example: "The term 'feline' is equivalent to saying 'cat' in the context of animal classification."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's equivalent to saying if you're addicted to cigarettes, shall we move from high tar, to medium tar.

The Guardian

This, as Einstein showed, is equivalent to saying they travel at the speed of light.

The Economist

This is equivalent to saying that they face only measurable risks.

The Economist

Which of course, is equivalent to saying "I am a storyteller".

Independent

That's equivalent to saying "No, keep that work here, even though we cost more and don't give you anything more for the money".

The Economist

This is equivalent to saying that because 125 students at Harvard appear to have cheated on this exam, all Harvard students probably cheat their way through college.

The New York Times - Sports

This statement is equivalent to saying that diffusion of materials in metamorphism is a slow process, and various chemical units do not mix on any large scale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mathematically, this is equivalent to saying that the square of the standard deviation is equal to a constant times the distance traveled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a tautology, equivalent to saying one plans to weigh less in the future through a combination of losing weight and not gaining weight.

The New Yorker

Moreover, France has also directed that, in addition to voting, Malians will find their future government legitimate too – equivalent to saying: "You will vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Once you say you can't govern Scotland unless you have a majority in Scotland that is equivalent to saying Scotland should be a separate country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equivalent to saying", ensure the rephrased statement truly captures the original intent without oversimplification or distortion.

Common error

Avoid using "equivalent to saying" when the second statement isn't a precise rephrasing but rather an approximation or a related idea. Ensure both statements have the same implications and logical outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equivalent to saying" functions as a clarifier, indicating that two different expressions or statements carry the same meaning. Ludwig's examples show it's used to simplify complex ideas or to offer alternative phrasings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equivalent to saying" is a versatile phrase used to clarify meaning by presenting an alternative, semantically identical statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias. The phrase aims to simplify complex ideas and bridge understanding. When using it, ensure the rephrased statement truly captures the essence of the original one. Alternatives such as "tantamount to stating" or "amounts to asserting" can provide slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tantamount to stating

Replaces "saying" with "stating", emphasizing a formal declaration or assertion.

amounts to asserting

Uses "asserting" instead of "saying", implying a confident and forceful statement.

is synonymous with stating

Emphasizes the synonymy between two statements using the word "synonymous".

can be interpreted as meaning

Focuses on the interpretation of a statement, suggesting a level of subjective understanding.

effectively means

Highlights the practical effect or consequence of a statement.

in essence, it's

Condenses a more complex idea into its core meaning.

it's another way of putting it

Indicates a different phrasing of the same concept, highlighting stylistic variation.

it's the same as declaring

Uses "declaring" to suggest a formal or explicit announcement.

this implies

Focuses on the implicit meaning or consequence of a statement.

this is to suggest

Introduces an indirect or subtle indication of something.

FAQs

How can I use "equivalent to saying" in a sentence?

Use "equivalent to saying" to show that two statements have the same meaning or implication. For example, "Claiming ignorance is "equivalent to saying" you didn't bother to check the facts".

What are some alternatives to "equivalent to saying"?

You can use alternatives like "tantamount to stating", "amounts to asserting", or "is synonymous with stating" to express similar ideas.

Is it always appropriate to use "equivalent to saying"?

While generally correct, ensure the two statements you're equating truly share the same meaning. If there's a subtle difference or implication, a more nuanced phrase might be better.

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

"Equivalent to saying" implies the statements have identical meanings, while "similar to saying" suggests they share some characteristics but aren't exactly the same.