generally equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally equal to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing approximate equivalence or similarity between two values, concepts, or quantities. Example: "In many cases, the total cost of the project is generally equal to the sum of its individual components."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In this case the use tax is generally equal to the retail sales tax.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Developers who relinquish the development rights to their property by donating it to a government or nonprofit group may qualify for a federal tax deduction that is generally equal to the value of the development that is given up, said Stephen J. Small, a lawyer who specializes in protected-land projects.

The New York Times - Travel

Each node v i has an interference range, which is generally equal to or greater than r i.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

S is the safety factor and is generally equal to eight in the case of vertical hanging.

ROBOMECH Journal

For complex symbols, the pseudo-covariance matrix C u is generally equal to the zero matrix, which makes the matrix (boldsymbol {R}_{widetilde u}) of full rank.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

When two or more sources of synaptic input are activated concurrently, their combined postsynaptic effects on cat spinal motoneurons with 'passive dendrites' are generally equal to or slightly less than those predicted from the linear sum of their individual effects.

Brain Research Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Sev(St)_{v} = hbox{max} left( {frac{{T_{{{text{low}}v}} }}{{T_{vhbox{max} } }}} right) (4 where Tlowv is the time duration when the bus voltage decreases to 0.75 p.u., Tvmax is the maximum allowable time (generally equals to 1 s).

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Aside from binding to Y. enterocolitica O 9, the binding level of MAbs 4H7, 4C3, 6B8, 6 F2, II5G1, II4D11 were generally equal relative to A or M dominance.

BMC Veterinary Research

Like all of its genus, P. bellidiflora has green phyllaries in two to three generally equal series, lanceolate to obovate, with margins widely scarious (dry and membranous), and a naked receptacle.

Wikipedia

It has been shown that, in luminescence caused by light, the wavelength of emitted light generally is equal to or longer than that of the exciting light (i.e., of equal or less energy).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whereas standardized procedures determine Ccl in concrete powder, the cement content Cm is generally assumed equal to the mix design or an experience-based constant value.

Cement and Concrete Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally equal to" when you want to express that two quantities or values are nearly the same, but not necessarily exactly identical. This is useful in situations where precision is difficult or not required.

Common error

Avoid using "generally equal to" when describing quantities that are precisely equal. Use "equal to" instead to indicate exact equivalence. For instance, if you are referring to a mathematical formula, it's appropriate to use "equal to", as opposed to "generally equal to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally equal to" functions as a qualifying adverbial phrase indicating approximate equivalence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct. It is often used to convey that two values or quantities are nearly the same without necessarily being precisely identical. Examples on Ludwig showcase its utility in scientific, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally equal to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating approximate equivalence. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedic references, as demonstrated by the various examples. When writing, it's important to use "generally equal to" when referring to quantities that are nearly the same, rather than precisely identical, reserving "equal to" for situations where there is an exact match. Alternative phrases such as "approximately the same as" or "roughly equivalent to" can be used to vary your language, but they may carry slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost equal to

Emphasizes the slight difference from being completely equal.

approximately the same as

Emphasizes an estimated similarity rather than a strict equality.

roughly equivalent to

Highlights a near or inexact equivalence.

more or less equal to

Indicates a slight degree of variation around an equal value.

largely equivalent to

Implies that most aspects are equivalent, but there may be some differences.

comparable to

Focuses on the similarity for the purpose of comparison.

of similar magnitude to

Highlights the likeness in size or extent.

in the same ballpark as

Suggests a similar order of magnitude or range, often in informal contexts.

virtually identical to

Implies a very close or near-perfect match.

tantamount to

Indicates that the two things are virtually the same in effect or value.

FAQs

How can I use "generally equal to" in a sentence?

The phrase "generally equal to" is used to express that two things are nearly the same, but not exactly. For instance, you can say, "The cost of materials is "generally equal to" the labor costs."

What's a good substitute for "generally equal to"?

Alternatives to "generally equal to" include "approximately the same as", "roughly equivalent to", or "more or less equal to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more accurate to say "generally equal to" or "equal to"?

"Equal to" implies an exact match, while "generally equal to" implies an approximation. Use "equal to" when the values are precisely the same, and "generally equal to" when they are only nearly the same.

What's the difference between "generally equal to" and "similar to"?

"Generally equal to" suggests a quantitative comparison where values are close, whereas "similar to" implies a qualitative resemblance. For example, you might say two products are "similar to" each other, but their prices are "generally equal to" each other.