it tantamount to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it tantamount to" is not correct as it is missing a verb form; it should be "it is tantamount to." You can use it to indicate that one thing is equivalent to another in significance or effect.
Example: "His refusal to cooperate is tantamount to admitting guilt."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Many survivors have taken comfort in the memorial, but others have called it tantamount to memorializing Hitler and have brought a lawsuit to close it down.

The New York Times

US and British foreign policy is not part of a global Zionist conspiracy; nor is opposition to it tantamount to jihadism.

The Guardian

It prevents implantation of a fertilized egg, and opponents have called it tantamount to abortion because it keeps an embryo from developing.

The New York Times

Steve Scott, a reader from Naugatuck, Conn., was disturbed when a June 22 Arts section article derogated the artistic legacy of the recently deceased LeRoy Neiman, thinking it tantamount to "spitting on his grave".

The New York Times

Some of the former prime minister's loyalists called it the equivalent of a judicial coup d'état, while his critics called it tantamount to Al Capone being convicted of tax evasion.

The New York Times

But more than that, the treaty – indeed, almost the word Kyoto itself – had come to be seen as a talisman of the good faith of rich countries, while abandoning it tantamount to a betrayal of the developing nations.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

For Glaucon, the trouble with invisibility is that it is tantamount to impunity; it liberates a corrupt species from the obligation to behave.

The New Yorker

But for Goodyear, which has suffered recalls of its own, it was tantamount to ripping the gloves off.

The New York Times

One of those principles, in Hobby Lobby's view, forbids it to pay for those contraceptives which it considers tantamount to abortion.

The New Yorker

It is tantamount to the United States abandoning its pledge to help halve world hunger by 2015.

The New York Times

"If abused, it is tantamount to granting the agency and its employees absolute immunity from suit, even where their activities are illegal and or discriminatory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include the verb "is" or "was" before "tantamount" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "it is tantamount to" instead of "it tantamount to".

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the verb "is" before "tantamount", resulting in the grammatically incorrect phrase "it tantamount to". Remember to include the verb to maintain proper sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it tantamount to" (corrected to "it is tantamount to") functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject by asserting its equivalence or near-equivalence to something else. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where the phrase connects a subject with a state or action considered almost identical in effect or meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

9%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it tantamount to" is grammatically incorrect without the inclusion of a verb such as "is" or "was". Ludwig AI highlights that the correct form, "it is tantamount to", is used to express that something is virtually equivalent to something else. While the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, it is important to use it correctly to maintain clarity and precision in writing. Remember to include the verb to avoid grammatical errors, as noted by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is equivalent to

Addition of the verb 'is' corrects the grammatical structure.

it amounts to

Replaces "tantamount" with "amounts", simplifying the wording while retaining similar meaning.

it's the same as

Uses a more informal expression to convey equivalence.

it is analogous to

Substitutes "tantamount" with "analogous", indicating a similarity that allows for comparison.

it is comparable to

Replaces "tantamount" with "comparable", suggesting a resemblance worthy of comparison.

it's virtually identical to

Emphasizes a near-perfect similarity.

it bears a resemblance to

Focuses on the similarity in appearance or character.

it is akin to

Indicates a similarity in nature or qualities.

it mirrors

Suggests a very close correspondence or reflection of something else.

it echoes

Implies a less direct but still noticeable similarity.

FAQs

How to use "it tantamount to" correctly in a sentence?

The correct form is "it is tantamount to". For example, "His silence "it is tantamount to" an admission of guilt".

What does "it is tantamount to" mean?

It means that something is virtually equivalent to something else. It implies that the two things are almost the same in effect or significance.

What can I say instead of "it is tantamount to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is equivalent to", "it amounts to", or "it is the same as depending on the context.

Is "it tantamount to" formal or informal?

"It is tantamount to" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "it is equal to" or "it is like" might be more appropriate.