essentially equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially equivalent" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to two things that are almost identical or very similar in nature. Here are a few examples: - The original recipe and the modified version are essentially equivalent in terms of taste and texture. - Despite being from different time periods, the two novels are essentially equivalent in their exploration of human nature. - The English and American legal systems are essentially equivalent, with only minor differences in procedure. - My job duties may have changed, but my salary is essentially equivalent to what I was making before the promotion. - While the two products may seem different, they are essentially equivalent in terms of effectiveness and price.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such an approach assumes that all repeats are essentially equivalent.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Under appropriate conditions the two models predict essentially equivalent behaviour.

Electrochimica Acta

Subsection (a) shall apply if the redemption is not essentially equivalent to a dividend.

Cornell University

But, if the mirror-image division was essentially equivalent, the electorates were not.

The New Yorker

A money-financed tax cut is essentially equivalent to Milton Friedman's famous "helicopter drop" of money.

Independent

It is demonstrated that all three systems have essentially equivalent performance.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Viscosity values were essentially equivalent in microwave- and UHT-heated white skim milks.

Journal of Dairy Science

This is essentially equivalent to the case where the output of trained readout neurons is fed back into the circuit.

Yale University

This is essentially equivalent to what is promised in the title.

Journal of Functional Analysis

We show that beta-mixing and rho-mixing with exponential decay are essentially equivalent concepts for scalar diffusions.

Yale University

Such labeling is not required in the United States, where the two types of product are regarded as essentially equivalent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially equivalent" when you want to convey that two or more things are so similar that their differences are negligible for the purpose you're discussing. It implies a practical interchangeability.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially equivalent" if there are significant differences that could impact the outcome or understanding. Be precise about the degree of similarity; if it's not practically the same, choose a more accurate descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially equivalent" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that two or more things are virtually the same in effect or function. Ludwig examples showcase its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essentially equivalent" is a versatile phrase used to describe things that are nearly identical or interchangeable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. When writing, use it to convey that differences are negligible for the specific purpose you're addressing. Alternative phrases like "practically identical" or "virtually the same" may offer nuanced alternatives depending on context. Be sure to avoid exaggerating the level of equivalence if notable differences exist. Use it when the small differences don't have a big effect on the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically identical

Implies a near-perfect match with negligible differences, stronger than just equivalence.

virtually the same

Suggests a level of similarity that is almost complete, highlighting the lack of significant differences.

for all intents and purposes the same

Indicates that any differences are inconsequential in practical terms.

nearly identical

Highlights the small differences, suggesting a closer alignment than mere equivalence.

tantamount to

Indicates that something is equal in effect or value, often in a legal or ethical context.

effectively equivalent

Focuses on the actual outcome or result, deeming them equal despite potential surface-level differences.

substantially similar

Implies the key aspects are alike, even if details differ, often used in legal or technical contexts.

roughly equal

Emphasizes that the items are similar but allows for some minor discrepancies.

more or less equivalent

Acknowledges some variation but stresses that the overall effect or value is comparable.

comparable

Suggests a similarity that makes comparison valid, but doesn't demand near perfection.

FAQs

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

Use "essentially equivalent" to describe items or concepts that are very similar in effect or function. For example, "For the purposes of this study, the two methods are "essentially equivalent"."

What are some alternatives to "essentially equivalent"?

You can use alternatives like "practically identical", "virtually the same", or "tantamount to" depending on the nuances you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "essentially equivalent" in formal writing?

Yes, "essentially equivalent" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and professional contexts, where precise comparisons are necessary.

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

"Essentially equivalent" implies a higher degree of similarity than "similar". While "similar" suggests resemblance, "essentially equivalent" suggests that the differences are negligible in practical terms.