quite equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that two or more things are very similar or have the same value or quality. Example: "In terms of performance, the two models are quite equal, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The competition, it is obvious, is not quite equal.

The Guardian - Business

(In the same league, perhaps, but not quite equal.

The New York Times - Health

The satisfactions of "access" can never quite equal the thrill of agency.

The New Yorker

Matter and antimatter are not, in other words, quite equal and opposite.

The Economist

Yet even if the sum doesn't quite equal the parts, the parts on Monday night were great fun.

The New York Times - Arts

I read it in two sittings- its page-turning prowess is quite equal to an Agatha Christie.

Independent

Miss Marple could not quite equal the ratings performance last week of ITV1's Morse spin-off Lewis, which attracted a peak audience of 11.3 million.

The Guardian

Without him, they don't quite equal the Pens' firepower; just thinking about having to stop Crosby and Malkin gives me a lower-body injury.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Skateboarding is not quite equal-opportunity employment.

The New Yorker

Divide dough in two portions of not-quite-equal size, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate.

The New York Times

After years of almost-but-not-quite-equal pay, the French Open, gave women's and men's champions equal money in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, ensure the context makes it clear which items you are referring to when stating they are "quite equal".

Common error

Avoid using "quite equal" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. Using it in such cases can mislead readers into believing a higher degree of similarity exists than is actually the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite equal" functions as an adjectival phrase used to modify a noun or pronoun. It signifies a high degree of similarity or equivalence between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite equal" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that indicates a near or close equivalence between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using "quite equal", be mindful of accurately representing the degree of similarity and avoid overstating equivalence where significant differences exist. Consider alternatives like "fairly equivalent" or "substantially alike" for nuanced expression. Overall, "quite equal" is a reliable and versatile phrase for conveying similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly equivalent

Replaces "quite" with "fairly", indicating a similar degree of equivalence.

reasonably similar

Shifts from strict equality to similarity, implying a close resemblance.

substantially alike

Indicates a significant degree of similarity, focusing on shared characteristics.

largely identical

Suggests a high degree of agreement or sameness, with minimal differences.

about the same

A more informal way of expressing that two things are nearly equal.

virtually indistinguishable

Emphasizes that differences are so slight as to be almost impossible to detect.

roughly comparable

Highlights that items are similar enough to be compared, though not necessarily identical.

tantamount to

Indicates that something is virtually equal or equivalent in effect or value.

on par with

Implies that something is equal in status or quality to something else.

comparable to

Highlights the similarity of something, but doesn't mean exactly equal.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite equal" to indicate that two or more things are very similar or have the same value or quality. For example, "In terms of performance, the two models are quite equal."

What phrases are similar to "quite equal"?

Alternatives include "fairly equivalent", "reasonably similar", or "substantially alike" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "quite equal" in formal writing?

Yes, "quite equal" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used across various reputable sources, including news and media, science, and business publications.

When should I avoid using the phrase "quite equal"?

Avoid using "quite equal" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. In such cases, phrases like "somewhat similar" or "roughly comparable" might be more appropriate.