essentially equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially equivalent to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, terms, or items that have the same fundamental meaning or function, despite possible differences in form or appearance. Example: "In mathematical terms, the two expressions are essentially equivalent to each other, yielding the same result."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Independent

Indeed, many of them made use of concepts—such as "qualia," and "felt sensation"—that were essentially equivalent to the notion of sense-data.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once an e-reader, like a Kindle, has its wireless antennas turned off, the technology inside these gadgets is essentially equivalent to a calculator or an electric shaver.

The New York Times

This is essentially equivalent to allowing only computer programs with finite lengths of code.

SEP

Hence, for a large proportion of labelled drugs, the measured VT is essentially equivalent to VND.

EJNMMI Research

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

Journal of Functional Analysis

We show that sampling with a biased Metropolis scheme is essentially equivalent to using the heatbath algorithm.

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation

The shiftability in orientation and scale is essentially equivalent to the steerability and scalability proposed in [30 32], respectively.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Note that the Eq. 2 is essentially equivalent to the classic Williamson-Hall method and its subsequent variations [40 45].

Nanoscale Research Letters

The axiomatization thus obtained is proved essentially equivalent to the corresponding axiomatization which uses successor state axioms.

Artificial Intelligence

The ignition characteristics for these micron particles are essentially equivalent to the nanothermite despite their significantly larger physical size.

Combustion and Flame

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "essentially equivalent to", ensure that the context clearly indicates the aspects in which the items are similar. Avoid using it if there are significant differences that could mislead the reader.

Common error

A common mistake is using "essentially equivalent to" when the items being compared have only superficial similarities. Ensure that the core functionality or meaning is genuinely comparable before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially equivalent to" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a high degree of similarity or near identity. It suggests that, for practical purposes, the two things being compared can be considered the same. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is valid and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essentially equivalent to" is a versatile and widely used expression that indicates a high degree of similarity or practical identity between two things. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is both grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While there may be subtle differences, the overall effect or function is nearly the same. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the comparison is accurate and that the items being compared share core characteristics. Alternatives include "virtually the same as" and "practically identical to", each with slightly different nuances. Mastering the appropriate use of "essentially equivalent to" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same as

Focuses on the practical outcome being indistinguishable, even if technical differences exist.

practically identical to

Highlights a high degree of similarity with only minor, inconsequential differences.

tantamount to

Implies that the effect or consequence is the same, though the actions may differ.

effectively equivalent to

Stresses the actual result being the same, even if the methods or inputs are different.

for all intents and purposes the same as

Emphasizes that the difference is negligible for practical consideration.

in effect, the same as

Highlights that the end result is identical, though the means might vary.

more or less equivalent to

Indicates a close similarity, but allows for minor discrepancies.

roughly equivalent to

Suggests an approximate similarity, rather than a precise match.

comparable to

Suggests similarity but does not necessarily imply exact equivalence.

analogous to

Indicates a similarity in some respects, often used when comparing different systems or concepts.

FAQs

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

Use "essentially equivalent to" to indicate that two things are nearly the same in effect or function, even if they are not identical. For example, "In this context, method A is "essentially equivalent to" method B".

What are some alternatives to "essentially equivalent to"?

You can use alternatives such as "virtually the same as", "practically identical to", or "tantamount to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "essentially equal to" instead of "essentially equivalent to"?

While "equal" and "equivalent" are often used interchangeably, "essentially equivalent to" is generally preferred when emphasizing that the things being compared have the same effect or function, even if they are not precisely the same. "Essentially equal to" isn't wrong, but it might imply a more strict mathematical equality.

What's the difference between "essentially equivalent to" and "roughly equivalent to"?

"Essentially equivalent to" suggests a high degree of similarity in function or outcome, while "roughly equivalent to" indicates a more approximate or less precise level of similarity. The choice depends on the degree of precision you wish to convey.