really equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the equality or equivalence of two or more things, often in a context where the speaker wants to stress that the equality is genuine or significant. Example: "In this experiment, the two solutions are really equal in terms of their chemical composition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Does big really equal bad in business?

The Guardian

Of course, separate was never really equal.

The Guardian

"That was the start of the idea that we were really equal," Ms. den Hoedt said.

The New York Times

"They treat the kids really equal to the parents," she said.

The New York Times

As a result, he would offer a prize to encourage the invention of "the first e-reader that will really equal the traditional paper-based codex".

The New York Times

The officials of Metro-North Railroad are formally acknowledging that when it comes to bathrooms, separate but equal is not really equal at all: Women need more.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"But it's actually longevity as an actor that really equals success to me," he said.

The New York Times

Dead or Alive never really equaled it, although both the ensuing album Youthquake and its follow-up Mad Bad and Dangerous To Know had their moments – not least the 1986 single Something In My House – and they continued to be hugely successful in Japan, long after Britain had lost interest, at least in their music.

The Guardian - Music

The words "edited for in-flight viewing". But for a man, none of these really equals the tortures of shopping for clothes, from the nattily dressed salesman who asks, with oleo in his voice, "Can I help you?" to the need to appraise oneself in a mirror while others look on.

The New York Times - Style

Taylor: Yeah, for me I really think about diversity in terms of it really equaling difference.

Forbes

The satellite, called MicroSCOPE, will test whether gravitational mass really equals inertial mass a basic identity that lies at the heart of Einstein's relativity.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really equal" to emphasize that two or more things are genuinely equivalent, especially when there might be doubt or a prior assumption of inequality. For example, 'Despite their different backgrounds, the candidates are "really equal" in terms of qualifications.'

Common error

Avoid using "really equal" simply as an intensifier without adding meaningful emphasis. Overusing it can weaken its impact and make your writing sound less precise. Choose other expressions if you don't mean to explicitly stress equivalence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really equal" functions as an adverb-adjective combination to emphasize the degree of equality. It modifies the adjective 'equal' to highlight that something is genuinely or substantially equivalent, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really equal" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the genuine equivalence of two or more things. As Ludwig AI points out, it aims to highlight the authenticity of equality, especially when there might be doubt or prior assumptions suggesting otherwise. While alternatives like "truly equal" or "genuinely equal" exist, "really equal" provides a slightly less formal option suitable for diverse contexts. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid weakening its impact and ensure its presence genuinely adds emphasis to the equality being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly equal

Emphasizes the genuineness of equality, providing a slightly more formal tone.

genuinely equal

Highlights the authenticity of the equivalence, similar to 'truly equal'.

actually equal

Focuses on the reality of the equality, suggesting a possible prior assumption of inequality.

virtually equal

Indicates near equality, acknowledging slight differences.

practically equal

Similar to 'virtually equal', implying that the differences are negligible in practice.

effectively equal

Suggests that the outcome or effect is the same, even if the inputs are different.

substantially equal

Highlights that the equality is significant and meaningful.

fairly equal

Indicates a reasonable degree of equality, though perhaps not perfect.

roughly equal

Implies an approximate equality, allowing for some variation.

comparably equal

Focuses on the comparison between the items being equal, indicating they measure up similarly.

FAQs

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

Use "really equal" to emphasize that two or more things are genuinely equivalent. For instance, "The two options are "really equal" in terms of cost and benefits."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "really equal"?

You can use alternatives like "truly equal", "genuinely equal", or "actually equal" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "really equal"? Can I just say "equal"?

While "equal" is sufficient in many cases, "really equal" adds emphasis. It suggests that the equality is genuine and not merely superficial. However, avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "really equal"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that two or more things are genuinely equivalent, especially when there may be doubt or a prior assumption of inequality. For example: "After careful consideration, we determined that the two proposals were "really equal" in merit."