in equal number

USAGE SUMMARY

"in equal number" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "The boys and girls in the class were divided into two teams, in equal number."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Cheers and groans, in equal number, mingled.

The New Yorker

We have turned down about half the deals, and been turned down in equal number.

The New York Times - Style

The food, usually served buffet style, was good -- Thai and Western dishes in equal number.

The New York Times - Travel

On Twitter, skeptics and believers seemed to emerge in equal number.

The New York Times

In training, only images containing unrotated bin were used while in testing images containing both unrotated and rotated bin were used in equal number.

Measurement

The proposal had broad support, but the Kennedy administration pressured Senator Hart to sponsor the bill that created our current system instead — allocating visas in equal number to all countries, a principle inspired by the civil-rights-era ethos of formal equality.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Men and women suffer in equal numbers.

The New York Times - Health

Again, not true: It affects both sexes in equal numbers.

The New York Times - Books

Housing authorities are also demolishing public housing projects without replacing them in equal numbers.

The New York Times

The subtext is clear: women in equal numbers are simply not up to the job.

The Guardian

According to other surveys, Catholic and non-Catholic American women have abortions in equal numbers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental design, use "in equal number" to clearly state the size of different groups. For example, "Participants were divided into three groups in equal number to compare the effects of different treatments."

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with "number" when it refers to a plural quantity. Ensure that your sentence structure reflects the plural nature of the phrase. For instance, instead of "The data was collected in equal number", use "The data were collected in equal number."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in equal number" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and employed to specify that two or more groups or entities are present in the same quantity or amount.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in equal number" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates equivalence in quantity or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal contexts to describe distributions and group sizes with precision. While alternatives like "equally" or "in equivalent numbers" exist, "in equal number" provides a specific and clear way to express numerical balance. When writing, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider if "in equal numbers" may be a more suitable option, depending on the noun it modifies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a one-to-one ratio

Highlights the precise numerical relationship.

in equivalent numbers

Changes the wording while maintaining the focus on quantity.

in the same quantity

Focuses on the amount rather than the numerical aspect.

equally

Adverb that denotes equivalence in manner or degree.

in identical proportion

Emphasizes the proportional relationship being the same.

in balanced measure

Indicates a state of equilibrium or even distribution.

in parity

Highlights a state of being equal or equivalent.

in correspondence

Suggests a direct relationship where elements match one to one.

at an equivalent rate

Focuses on the pace or frequency being identical.

without distinction

Implies that there is no difference in how something is distributed.

FAQs

How to use "in equal number" in a sentence?

You can use "in equal number" to describe scenarios where groups or quantities are of the same size. For example, "The students were divided into two groups "in equal number" for the experiment."

What can I say instead of "in equal number"?

Alternatives include "equally", "in equivalent numbers", or "in the same quantity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in equal number" or "in equal numbers"?

Both "in equal number" and "in equal numbers" are used and generally acceptable. "In equal numbers" is more common. However, "in equal number" is also correct when referring to an uncountable noun, where the focus is on the concept of equality rather than the count itself.

What's the difference between "in equal number" and "in equal measure"?

"In equal number" refers specifically to the quantity or count being the same, while "in equal measure" refers to something being distributed to the same degree or extent. The former is about numerical equivalence, the latter about proportional equivalence.