essentially equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, values, or quantities that are very similar or comparable in nature, even if they are not identical. Example: "In terms of their overall impact on the environment, the two energy sources are essentially equal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women and men in Bhutanese society enjoy an essentially equal legal status.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once the world is seen through the prism of five essentially equal hominid groups, everything begins to look different.

The New York Times

A Honda Accord with a screaming 278-horsepower V-6 is rated at 21 city, 34 highway — essentially equal.

The New York Times

Yet the system for hiring passport officers likely rests on the faulty premise that applicants have essentially equal skill in recognizing faces.

The New Yorker

That effort to gain essentially equal time for creationism was slapped down by the United States Supreme Court as an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

The New York Times

They are bounded on both sides by steeply dipping normal faults, along which movement has been essentially equal, resulting in blocks that are scarcely tilted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I saw an overall tally of 76 m.p.g., essentially equal to the performance of the converted Prius from Plug-In Solutions. Plug-In Solutions

The New York Times

For 90 minutes, the rivals will be essentially equal, creating what Mr. Romney's advisers believe is a critical opportunity to make a move in the race.

The New York Times

Game streaming is now essentially equal opportunity.

TechCrunch

Their distribution per year was essentially equal.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Fiscal year earnings revisions surprises were essentially equal.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "essentially equal", ensure that you clarify the specific aspect in which the items or concepts are comparable. This adds precision and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially equal" when there are significant differences. While the phrase indicates similarity, it should not be used to mask important distinctions that could mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially equal" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that two or more things are alike in most important respects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially equal" is used to describe items or concepts that are very similar, though not necessarily identical. It's grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, highlighting its versatility. When using the phrase, ensure you specify the aspect in which the items are comparable. While "essentially equal" suggests similarity, avoid using it to gloss over important differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually identical

Emphasizes a very close resemblance, almost to the point of being the same.

practically the same

Highlights that any differences are negligible in a practical sense.

almost equivalent

Indicates a high degree of similarity, but allows for minor discrepancies.

roughly equivalent

Suggests a close match but acknowledges potential for some variation.

nearly identical

Indicates a strong similarity with minimal differences.

comparable

Highlights that the items being compared are similar enough to be meaningfully compared.

tantamount to

Implies that the two things are so similar that they have the same effect or value.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in quality or character.

on par with

Indicates that something is of the same standard or level as something else.

in the same ballpark

Suggests being within a similar range or order of magnitude.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially equal" in a sentence?

Use "essentially equal" to describe two or more things that are very similar in a specific aspect, even if they aren't completely identical. For instance, "The two models are "essentially equal" in terms of performance".

What phrases can I use instead of "essentially equal"?

Alternatives include "virtually identical", "practically the same", or "nearly equivalent". Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it accurate to use "essentially equal" when there are minor differences?

Yes, "essentially equal" implies that any differences are small enough to be disregarded for the purpose of the discussion. However, it's important to consider if those differences are, in fact, inconsequential.

What's the difference between "essentially equal" and "exactly the same"?

"Exactly the same" means there is no difference at all, while "essentially equal" allows for minor variations that don't significantly alter the overall assessment.