is nearly equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is nearly equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two quantities or values that are close in amount or size but not exactly the same. Example: "The total cost of the project is nearly equal to the budget we allocated for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His signing bonus is nearly equal to what Ellis and Abraham got in signing bonuses combined.

The New York Times - Sports

This is nearly equal to the entirety of Spain – or about four Englands.

The Guardian

That amount is nearly equal to the gross domestic product of Switzerland.

The New York Times

Today, the Ranger's quality is nearly equal that of Toyota's SR5, its chief Japanese rival.

Harvard Business Review

However, ηTID is nearly equal to ηTI + ηD unless the interception parameter is zero.

Chemical Engineering Science

As a result, the fuel cell mean current is nearly equal to the fuel cell rms current.

Energy Conversion and Management

With 107 cubic feet of interior volume, the cabin is nearly equal to the foot-longer Crown Victoria.

The New York Times

The number of Dominicans in New York is nearly equal to the number of Puerto Rican New Yorkers.

The New York Times

The summation of the two kinds of the entropy reduction is nearly equal to that of the neat rubber.

Polymer

At 800 Hz the value is nearly equal to 40% of the power applied to the pulse modulator.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The Tmlow is nearly equal to Tc, and it indicates that the initial crystallization at low temperature is nearly reversible.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is nearly equal" when comparing two values that are close but not identical. This phrase adds a nuance of approximation, which is useful in technical and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is nearly equal" when the values are significantly different. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader. Ensure the context warrants the approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is nearly equal" functions as a comparative expression. It's used to indicate that two quantities or values are similar but not precisely identical. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts to denote approximate equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is nearly equal" is a common and grammatically correct way to express approximate equivalence between two values. According to Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, including science and news media. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to indicate that two values are close but not exactly the same. Avoid using it when the values are significantly different to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "is approximately equal" or "is almost equal" can be used depending on the context. The phrase is considered to have neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is approximately equal

Emphasizes that the values are close but not exactly the same; uses a more formal adverb.

is almost equal

Highlights the closeness of the values with a common adverb.

is roughly equal

Indicates an estimation or approximation; suggests less precision.

is virtually equal

Suggests that the values are so close that the difference is negligible.

is practically equal

Implies that any difference is not significant in a practical sense.

is close to equal

A more descriptive way of indicating near equality.

is comparable to

Indicates similarity in magnitude or degree, rather than strict equality.

is on par with

Suggests that the values are at the same level or standard.

is much the same as

Emphasizes a lack of substantial difference between the values.

is not far from equal

A more verbose way of expressing that the values are close to being equal.

FAQs

How can I use "is nearly equal" in a sentence?

The phrase "is nearly equal" is used to indicate that two values or quantities are close but not exactly the same. For example, "The cost of the repair "is nearly equal" to the value of the car."

What are some alternatives to "is nearly equal"?

Alternatives include "is approximately equal", "is almost equal", or is roughly equal depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is it better to say "is nearly equal" or "is equal"?

Use "is equal" when the values are exactly the same. Use "is nearly equal" when the values are close but not identical. The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is nearly equal" and "is comparable to"?

"Is nearly equal" suggests a closer degree of similarity than "is comparable to". While both indicate a resemblance, "is comparable to" implies they share similar characteristics or qualities, whereas "is nearly equal" focuses on numerical or quantitative values being close in amount.