near equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is almost the same as another thing, but not quite identical. Example: "The two products are near equivalents in terms of performance, but one is more cost-effective than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

TNT has been aggressively marketing itself as a near equivalent to the broadcast networks.

The New York Times - Arts

Several self-driving startups, including Uber, Faraday Future and Autonomous Stuff, are already using Ford Fusions (or its near equivalent, the Lincoln MKZ) to develop their own technologies.

The Guardian - Tech

Now gay sex is legal in at least 113 countries, three dozen of which allow same-sex marriage or its near equivalent.

The Economist

However, it was also faced with a near equivalent amount of debt, leading Prada and Bertelli to begin liquidating their acquisitions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was for those reasons that led to the Motion Picture Association of America rating the film R - the near equivalent of a UK 15.

Independent

Tory candidate John Lamont not only contested the seat last time, but gained the near equivalent seat in the Scottish parliament from the Lib Dems in 2007 and has acquired a reputation for "out-Lib Demming the Lib Dems" as a local campaigner.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Some metal mines, including gold mines, have become the near-equivalent of nuclear waste dumps that must be tended in perpetuity.

The New York Times

The government argues, quite rightly, that it has made up a near-equivalent of the depreciated amount with commitment to 'capital' spending.

The Guardian

Now you have another option: sell it to Amazon for real money, or at least a near-equivalent — an Amazon gift card.

The New York Times

Ms. Steyerl works primarily in video, but defines the medium broadly to include documentary, staged history, what look like found film images and the near-equivalent of home movies.

The New York Times - Arts

A cost analysis showed that the proposed energy-saving system is 32% more cost-effective than a near-equivalent commercial system while promising greater energy savings through the use of additional energy-saving techniques.

Energy and Buildings

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "near equivalent", ensure the context clarifies the specific aspect in which the items are almost equal. For instance, "The two phones are near equivalent in processing power, but differ in camera quality."

Common error

Avoid using "near equivalent" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. Ensure the "near" aspect is genuinely the dominant impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near equivalent" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is almost, but not exactly, equal to something else. As supported by Ludwig, it is generally used to compare things that share significant similarities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "near equivalent" is a useful phrase for indicating a close similarity between two things, acknowledging that they are not exactly identical. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in comparing different items while highlighting their similarities. As seen in the examples, it is commonly used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting that it is a versatile term for comparative analysis across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, bordering on being the same.

roughly equal

Suggests an approximate equality, with some tolerance for difference.

virtually the same

Implies that the difference is so small it's negligible.

comparable to

Highlights the similarities for the sake of comparison.

closely related

Emphasizes a strong connection and similarity.

practically interchangeable

Suggests that the items can be used in place of each other without significant impact.

not far off

Indicates that the items are close in value or quality.

tantamount to

Suggests that something is virtually equal to something else, especially in effect or value.

much the same

Indicates a high level of similarity in most respects.

along the lines of

Suggests a similarity in general character or approach.

FAQs

What does "near equivalent" mean?

The phrase "near equivalent" indicates that two or more things are almost equal or very similar in a particular aspect or characteristic, but not exactly the same.

How can I use "near equivalent" in a sentence?

You can use "near equivalent" to compare items or concepts, highlighting their similarities while acknowledging slight differences. For example: "The performance of the two laptops is "almost identical", making them a "near equivalent" for most users."

What are some alternatives to "near equivalent"?

Alternatives include "roughly equal", "virtually the same", or "comparable to", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "near equivalent" rather than "equivalent"?

Use "near equivalent" when the items being compared are not exactly the same but share significant similarities. If they are identical, use "equivalent". The "near" qualifier acknowledges slight differences that exist.