of equal ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of equal ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups that possess the same level of skill or competence in a particular area. Example: "The two candidates were of equal ability, making the hiring decision particularly challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Two athletes, Athlete A and Athlete B, are of equal ability and equally well prepared for an upcoming competition.

Huffington Post

"It stabilised around people of equal ability, or equal interest," Mason told me.

Independent

"When you have two guys of equal ability, you'd rather have a left-hander than a right-hander".

The New York Times - Sports

If there are two riders of equal ability, the one taking EPO will beat the one who remains clean; it is as simple as that.

The New Yorker

"The 16 guys that make the semis tomorrow will be of equal ability and it will be whoever produces the goods in each race".

Independent

"The 16 guys that make the semi-finals tomorrow will be of equal ability and it will be whoever produces the goods in each race".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Derby matches between two teams of roughly equal ability are invariably attritional, settled by a moment of brilliance or an egregious mistake, but although the Scarlets led for 68 minutes of the contest, they always looked like the less likely winners.

The Guardian - Sport

Both sets of respondents showed equal ability to complete the questionnaire.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

DIF exists when groups of test takers with equal ability have differing response probabilities of either a) successfully answering an item (i.e., in multiple choice) or b) receiving the same item score (i.e., in performance assessment) (Zumbo, 2007).

Language Testing in Asia

The reason to choose a square (or circle) base is that the sides of the square have equal ability to induce surface plasmons from all polarizations of the incident sunlight.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This study demonstrated that hAMSC and BMSCs as pericytes sharing equal ability of enhancing angiogenesis via MMPs that impact the functional qualities of the capillary networks both in vitro and in vivo and stabilized new capillaries branch during the early stage.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing individuals or groups, ensure the context clearly defines the specific ability being compared. For instance, "of equal athletic ability" specifies the domain.

Common error

Avoid using "of equal ability" in contexts where a more specific descriptor is needed. For example, instead of saying "they are of equal ability", specify "they are of equal problem-solving ability" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of equal ability" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that two or more subjects possess a comparable level of skill or competence. This phrase is commonly used to make comparisons, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of equal ability" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe subjects possessing comparable skill or competence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a wide range of applications. While there are various alternatives, such as "equally skilled" or "of comparable skill", the specific context should guide the choice. The key is to clearly define the ability being compared to avoid ambiguity. This phrase is useful for making objective comparisons and highlighting similarities in competence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally capable

Focuses on capability rather than general ability.

equally skilled

Highlights the possession of comparable skills.

on par

Implies a level of equality or equivalence.

of comparable skill

Emphasizes the similarity in skill level.

equally competent

Focuses on having the necessary skills and knowledge.

of similar aptitude

Highlights comparable natural talents or potential.

evenly matched

Suggests a balanced competition or comparison.

of equivalent caliber

Implies comparable quality or standing.

at the same level

A more general way to indicate similarity in proficiency.

of the same capacity

Focuses on the potential or maximum ability.

FAQs

How can I use "of equal ability" in a sentence?

You can use "of equal ability" to compare individuals or groups who possess a similar level of skill or competence. For example, "The two candidates were "of equal ability", making the decision difficult."

What are some alternatives to "of equal ability"?

Some alternatives include "equally skilled", "equally capable", or "of comparable skill" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "of equal ability" or "with equal ability"?

"Of equal ability" is generally preferred when comparing the inherent skill level of two or more subjects. "With equal ability" might be used when describing how something is done, implying the manner in which the ability is applied.

What is the difference between "of equal ability" and "of equal talent"?

"Of equal ability" refers to demonstrated competence or skill developed through practice or training. "Of equal talent" implies a natural aptitude or innate gift. Talent is often seen as an inherent potential, while ability is a realized skill.