largely equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are mostly, but not entirely, the same in terms of quantity, quality, or characteristics. Example: "The two proposals are largely equal in terms of cost and benefits, making it difficult to choose one over the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

From the supplier's perspective, a request for a procurement bid suggests that you see your potential suppliers as largely equal.

Harvard University

It is noteworthy, however, that former Federalists at first flocked to the new parties in largely equal numbers and that men on opposite sides of such issues as internal improvements or a national bank could unite behind Jackson.

Britannica

But that, at least, was a sporting end to a contest between largely equal sides, though lacking in the kind of imagination displayed by the South Americans, the Spanish, the Dutch, the French and the Germans.

The New York Times - Sports

Samuel L. Jackson, who was overlooked as a best actor (drama) nominee as a Bible-quoting hit man in "Pulp Fiction," though his role was largely equal to Travolta's, received a best supporting nod for the movie.

Los Angeles Times

By contrast, in Figure  1B (which assumes disassortative mating), multiple lineages of cooperators persisted indefinitely at largely equal frequencies.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The observed molecular masses listed in Table 2 are largely equal to or below the theoretical masses.

BMC Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Educational reform now largely equals intensive schooling: early-morning catch-up classes, after-school clubs, longer terms, shorter holidays, more testing, more homework.

The Guardian - Opinion

Part of that is because the companies are largely equals, so the fight will be fair.

TechCrunch

Gender equality depends largely on equal visibility, which is part of the reason why the new $10 bill is so exciting to myself, to women and to the next generations of our daughters.

HuffPost

You met wide boys and doctors, academics and caviar smugglers, largely on equal terms.

The Guardian - Travel

Unlike in Lebanon, Syria's Palestinians had largely enjoyed equal rights as citizens, with access to homes, healthcare and other trappings of state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely equal", be prepared to clarify any notable differences to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "While the two options are "largely equal" in cost, option A offers superior performance."

Common error

Avoid using "largely equal" when there are significant differences. It is misleading to describe situations as "largely equal" if the discrepancies are substantial enough to influence decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely equal" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a state of near equality. It suggests that while some differences may exist, the items being compared are, for the most part, similar. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largely equal" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, though not extremely common, indicating approximate equivalence while acknowledging possible differences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, with a neutral register. When using "largely equal", be mindful of clarifying any notable differences to avoid misleading your audience and consider alternatives like "mostly equivalent" or "substantially similar" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely the same

Directly indicates a high degree of sameness.

near equal

Shorter and more direct way to express the same idea.

mostly equivalent

Emphasizes near equivalence, possibly with minor differences.

almost identical

Conveys a very high level of similarity, stopping just short of perfect identity.

substantially similar

Highlights the similarity in substance or essence.

predominantly equivalent

Stresses that equivalence is the most prominent characteristic.

generally comparable

Focuses on the overall comparability, allowing for some discrepancies.

roughly identical

Implies a high degree of similarity, close to being the same.

to a great extent, equal

More verbose alternative, suitable for formal contexts.

fairly uniform

Suggests consistency across a group or set.

FAQs

How can I use "largely equal" in a sentence?

You can use "largely equal" to describe two or more things that are similar in many aspects but not completely identical. For example, "The two candidates' platforms are "largely equal" on economic issues."

What's the difference between "largely equal" and "mostly equivalent"?

Both phrases suggest a high degree of similarity, but "largely equal" implies a comparison of quantity or measure, while "mostly equivalent" is broader and can apply to function or effect.

Which is correct, "largely equal" or "largely equivalent"?

Both phrases are correct, but "largely equal" is preferred when comparing quantities or values, whereas "largely equivalent" can be used when referring to function or effect.

What can I say instead of "largely equal"?

You can use alternatives like "substantially similar", "generally comparable", or "roughly identical" depending on the context.