nearly equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly equal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you wish to compare two items or qualities to suggest that they are very similar in proportions or value. For example: "The two countries have equal populations, nearly equal territory, and share many of the same language and cultural norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women enjoy nearly equal rights.

The Economist

*Other golfers received nearly equal treatment.

The New York Times - Sports

The moduli deduced via the two approaches are nearly equal.

Procedia Engineering

The apples are considerably tastier, with nearly equal crunch.

The New York Times - Food

Today, Olay and Dove are nearly equal in overall sales.

The New York Times

"In such a community, all are nearly equal.

The Guardian

Next best: make the tax breaks more nearly equal.

The New York Times

Elsewhere in the countryside social conditions were more nearly equal.

Britannica

Two stable isotopes, nearly equal in abundance, occur in nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The spending will nearly equal Telefonica's entire 1989 sales.

The New York Times

The country's net foreign reserves still nearly equal its GDP.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly equal", ensure you're comparing quantifiable or measurable aspects to maintain clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly equal" when there are significant or relevant differences between the items being compared; instead, acknowledge the distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly equal" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, to describe nouns. It indicates that the attributes being compared are very close but not precisely the same. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing numerous examples where it modifies quantities, proportions, and characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly equal" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to express a close approximation between two quantities or qualities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and enjoys broad usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "fairly equal" or "approximately equal" exist, "nearly equal" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure you are comparing measurable aspects and that the differences are not substantial enough to warrant more specific language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty equal

Indicates a slightly less formal tone compared to "nearly equal".

fairly equal

Suggests a reasonable degree of equality, similar in meaning to "nearly equal".

relatively equal

Highlights that the equality is considered in relation to something else.

essentially equal

Emphasizes that the differences are insignificant in practical terms.

largely equal

Indicates that the equality is present in most aspects, but not necessarily all.

about equal

A more casual way of saying "nearly equal", implying an approximation.

roughly equal

Similar to "about equal", suggesting an approximate equivalence.

approximately equal

More formal alternative to "nearly equal", emphasizing the approximate nature of the equality.

virtually equal

Suggests that the difference is so small as to be almost nonexistent.

closely equal

Highlights the closeness of the equality.

FAQs

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

Use "nearly equal" to compare two quantities or qualities that are very close in value or magnitude. For example, "The two candidates received "pretty equal" votes" or "The cost of the two items was "about equal"".

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly equal"?

Alternatives include "fairly equal", "approximately equal", "roughly equal", or "virtually equal", depending on the degree of precision you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "nearly equal" or "almost equal"?

Both "nearly equal" and "almost equal" are acceptable, but "nearly equal" might sound slightly more formal. The choice depends on the context and your preferred style.

What's the difference between "nearly equal" and "exactly equal"?

"Nearly equal" indicates a close approximation, while "exactly equal" means the quantities or qualities are identical. If there is even a slight difference, "nearly equal" is more accurate.