little equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little equal" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or degree of equality, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "In terms of skill, he is little equal to his competitors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It has many charms, but there is a growing sense that while we celebrate its unique quirks in the UK, in much of Europe, winning it and then hosting it the following year is an honour of little equal on the global stage – achieving nil points is quite possibly punishable by firing squad.

The Guardian

Justice Kennedy's majority opinion in the DOMA case mingles several strands of constitutional analysis: a little federalism (the states' traditional role in defining marriage), a little equal protection (DOMA insists that some state-sanctioned marriages are unequal to others), a little substantive due process (the statute withholds respect, "personhood and dignity" from married same-sex couples).

The New York Times

It's time for a little equal opportunity straight bashing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's too late for Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 to change now, but maybe there's hope for future series titles to offer a little equal-opportunity lechery.

Vice

Every culture in the world is celebrated in the movie theater... Precious little equals seeing the reality of indigenous cultures telling stories in their own tongue, showing you the way people from a distant backdrop think and how their beliefs inform their lives.

Huffington Post

For the most part, the table operated as a collection of equals, but Mary Higgins Clark was a little more equal than the others.

The New Yorker

It is not as if the rich are a little more equal and the poor a little less equal, and if we shift a bit we'll all come out in the middle.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a strange little poem, equal parts sweet and sour.

The New Yorker

After all, Mount is no rabid anti-capitalist, but a 72-year-old conservative arguing for a little more equal distribution of wealth.

The Guardian - Books

More immediately, a growing number of companies have taken it upon themselves to make life a little more equal for their gay employees.

The New York Times

(Or, in the cast I saw, Marcelo Gomes is a little more equal than the others, though he seems so in many ballets, not because he's given better steps but just because he is so wonderful a dancer).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express near equality or slight difference, opt for clearer and more conventional phrases such as "roughly equivalent" or "somewhat similar" instead of using "little equal".

Common error

Avoid using "little equal" when intending to convey a minor difference. Instead, use phrases that accurately reflect the small disparity, such as "slightly different" or "nearly identical".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little equal" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, attempting to describe a state of approximate equality. However, according to Ludwig AI, its usage is not standard and can be unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little equal" is used to express the idea of approximate equality, but is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. It appears rarely, mainly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. For clarity and correctness, it is advisable to use more conventional alternatives such as "roughly equivalent", "almost identical", or "somewhat similar". These alternatives offer better precision and are more widely accepted in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nearly identical

Very close to being the same; a higher degree of similarity.

Almost identical

Indicates a high degree of similarity, stopping short of perfect equality.

More or less equal

Expresses approximate equality with some potential variation.

Approximately equivalent

Similar to 'roughly equivalent', indicating an estimated level of equivalence.

Roughly equivalent

Indicates an approximate, rather than exact, equivalence.

Substantially similar

Indicates a significant degree of similarity, but not complete equality.

Slightly comparable

Highlights a minor degree of comparability between two things.

Somewhat alike

Suggests a moderate degree of similarity, without implying strict equality.

Not quite the same

Emphasizes the lack of perfect equality or equivalence.

Barely equivalent

Suggests the equivalence is minimal or questionable.

FAQs

How can I use the idea of approximate equality in a sentence?

Instead of "little equal", try using phrases like "roughly equivalent", "approximately equal", or "more or less equal" to convey that things are nearly the same.

What are some alternatives to "little equal" that are more grammatically sound?

Consider using "slightly comparable", "somewhat similar", or "nearly identical" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "little equal" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "little equal" is generally not considered grammatically correct or standard in formal writing. It is better to use more precise and widely accepted alternatives like "roughly equivalent" or "substantially similar".

When might I use "little equal", and when should I avoid it?

While "little equal" might appear in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal or professional writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "almost identical" or "not quite the same" for better communication.