other things being equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"other things being equal" is a phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that all other variables aside from what is being discussed are the same. For example, "The two cars have similar features, other things being equal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other things being equal, all lives matter, equally.

Huffington Post

But it is a negative, other things being equal.

The Economist

Don't bet on other things being equal, though.

The Economist

Other things being equal, they can obviously have an impact.

The New Yorker

Other things being equal, the effect of block architecture was insignificant.

Polymer

Other things being equal, the hydrolysability of molten alkali halides diminishes in going from chlorides to iodides.

Electrochimica Acta

But all other things being equal would you prefer to have prices $10 high?

Columbia University

All other things being equal, increased size and increased pressure level both reduce Number of Transfer Units (NTU).

The Air Engine Stirling Cycle Power for a Sustainable Future

The higher the probability of default, other things being equal, the higher the charge.

The Economist

As CO2 becomes more available, other things being equal, they will photosynthesise more.

The Economist

Other things being equal, that ought to push up the cost of capital.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "other things being equal", ensure that the context clearly defines what those 'other things' are. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the 'other things' you are referring to. State any crucial conditions explicitly to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "other things being equal" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement by introducing a condition of equivalence. It sets a hypothetical scenario where all variables except the ones under consideration are held constant, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "other things being equal" serves as a critical qualifier in statements across various domains, especially academic and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is a grammatically sound phrase used to isolate the effects of specific variables by assuming a stable background of other factors. Common alternatives include "all else being equal" and "ceteris paribus". When using this phrase, clarity is paramount: explicitly define the 'other things' to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all else being equal

This alternative is shorter and more concise while conveying the same meaning.

ceteris paribus

This is the Latin equivalent, often used in economics and other scientific contexts to indicate that all other variables are held constant.

everything else being constant

This alternative is a slight variation, emphasizing the constancy of everything else.

assuming all other factors remain constant

This alternative is more explicit and formal, specifying that other factors are not changing.

all conditions remaining the same

This phrase emphasizes the stability of the conditions under consideration.

if all other variables are held constant

This version is specific to situations where variables are being manipulated or considered.

given the same circumstances

This phrase focuses on the equivalence of the surrounding circumstances.

with all other things held constant

This option highlights the act of keeping other factors unchanged.

assuming no other changes

This phrase points out the hypothetical context in which nothing else changes.

if we control for all other variables

It emphasizes a controlled scientific or statistical context.

FAQs

How can I use "other things being equal" in a sentence?

You can use "other things being equal" to indicate that a particular factor will have a specific effect, assuming that all other relevant factors remain constant. For example, "Other things being equal, a higher interest rate should lead to lower investment."

What does "other things being equal" mean?

The phrase "other things being equal" means that all other relevant factors are assumed to remain the same. It's used to isolate the effect of one factor on another.

What are some alternatives to "other things being equal"?

Some alternatives include "all else being equal", "ceteris paribus", and "assuming all other factors remain constant".

Is it appropriate to use "other things being equal" in formal writing?

Yes, "other things being equal" is appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and business contexts to make precise statements about cause and effect.