Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is effectively equivalent
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is effectively equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the similarity or sameness of two concepts, terms, or conditions in a precise manner. Example: "In mathematical terms, the two equations are effectively equivalent, yielding the same results under the same conditions."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(18)
is essentially the same as
is tantamount to
is practically the same as
is virtually identical to
is substantially similar to
amounts to the same thing as
is on a par with
is as good as
is essentially the same
is substantively similar
is comparable to
is equivalent to
is equal to
is in the same league as
matches
equals
is commensurate with
the same role as the
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
Like them, Sudbin makes no apology for using the full tonal resources that a modern Steinway can offer in works composed for the harpsichord; playing the sonatas on a piano, he says, is effectively equivalent to making piano transcriptions of the originals, and the range of keyboard colour and pedal effects he conjures up for his selection is consistently dazzling.
News & Media
"For perspective, a $50 million fund is effectively equivalent to a several hundred million dollar fund elsewhere," explained Hansch.
News & Media
To overcome this problem, increasing the carrier concentration or carrier mobility is effectively equivalent to decreasing the sheet resistance.
Science
It has achieved especial prominence because of the frequent use of 'scaffolds' in medicinal chemistry, where the scaffold is effectively equivalent to a large, common substructure (e.g. [47 52]).
Science
Because the same number of reads were used for each species, this procedure is effectively equivalent to using a percentage.
Science
This is effectively equivalent to a vaccination campaign starting 1 week earlier than 15 October, with the same distribution rate to the public.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
Hachamovitch says: "For web browsers, developers can continue to offer plug-ins (using NPAPI or ActiveX; they are effectively equivalent in this scenario) so that webpages can play video using these codecs on Windows.
News & Media
From the point of view of the problem addressed herein, the TBM and DS theory are effectively equivalent.
It was assumed that the FLIR capabilities were effectively equivalent in terms of rural fire management use to that of the current Department of Conservation (DOC) thermal cameras.
The one-sided spatial discretisation utilised to enforce the tight coupling for the interface conditions were effectively equivalent to a central difference.
Through the use of CBA, and assuming that the imaging capabilities are effectively equivalent between DOC's current thermal cameras and present FLIR technology, the RPA-FLIR platform would offer a far greater return on investment.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "is effectively equivalent", ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for the equivalence. Specify which aspects are equivalent, such as function, outcome, or value, to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "is effectively equivalent" when there are significant differences between the subjects being compared. Ensure that the equivalence is genuine and not a generalization that overlooks crucial distinctions.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is effectively equivalent" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a similarity or equivalence in effect or outcome. As per Ludwig, this phrase is used to express that two things are similar enough to be considered the same for a particular purpose.
Frequent in
Science
66%
News & Media
25%
Formal & Business
8%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "is effectively equivalent" is a predicate adjective phrase used to convey that two things are similar enough to be considered the same for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and applicable across multiple contexts, though primarily found in scientific literature. When using the phrase, ensuring the context establishes a strong base for equivalence is the best practice. If you need to change the wording but keep the meaning you can try "is practically the same as" or "is virtually identical to". Finally, it is important to remember that oversimplifying complex relationships with "is effectively equivalent" can sometimes lead to misunderstanding and errors.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is in effect equivalent to
Adds "in effect" to emphasize the practical consequence of the equivalence.
is practically the same as
This alternative uses "practically the same" to emphasize the functional equivalence, even if not identical.
is essentially the same as
This implies that the core nature or essence is the same, despite potential superficial differences.
is virtually identical to
This emphasizes a very close resemblance, suggesting that any differences are negligible.
is functionally equivalent to
This specifies that the equivalence is in terms of function or operation.
is tantamount to
This alternative is more formal, suggesting that the two things are equal in effect or value.
is substantially similar to
Indicates a high degree of similarity, though not necessarily perfect equivalence.
amounts to the same thing as
This suggests that although the actions may be different, the result is the same.
is on a par with
This implies equivalence in terms of quality or status.
is as good as
This alternative suggests that the former option provides the benefits of the latter.
FAQs
How can I use "is effectively equivalent" in a sentence?
Use "is effectively equivalent" to indicate that two things are similar in function, outcome, or value. For example, "In this context, using method A "is effectively equivalent" to using method B."
What are some alternatives to "is effectively equivalent"?
You can use alternatives such as "is essentially the same as", "is practically identical to", or "is tantamount to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Is it always accurate to say something "is effectively equivalent"?
No, it's important to ensure the equivalence is genuine and that the context is clearly defined. Avoid using the phrase if there are significant differences between the subjects being compared. Oversimplifying can lead to misunderstanding.
What's the difference between "is effectively equivalent" and "is identical to"?
"Is identical to" implies a perfect match, whereas ""is effectively equivalent"" suggests that while not perfectly the same, the two things produce the same result or have the same effect in a given context.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested