relatively equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively equal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe two items that are not completely equal, but close enough to be considered of nearly the same value or magnitude. Example: The two teams competed in the race relatively equally, with the final result being a tie.

✓ Grammatically correct

Chicken fat rendering

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Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep the chunks equally sized so that they have a relatively equal melting time.

WikiHow

I evaluated the restaurants on relatively equal terms.

The New York Times - Food

It helps them believe the relationship is relatively equal.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will be relatively equal measures comedy, education and spontaneity.

The New York Times

"There is a sort of relatively equal distribution on how strongly people feel on either side".

The Guardian

Some people think that it's relatively equal between men and women.

The New Yorker

All things being relatively equal, Westbrook is the one on track to make history.

The Guardian - Sport

These help build the sense among workers that they are relatively equal.

Harvard Business Review

Baby boomers like me grew up in a relatively equal society.

The New York Times

This system has the advantage of giving voters everywhere relatively equal weight in picking the leader.

The Washington Post

The weight distribution between the front and the rear of the dog are relatively equal.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or formal writing, "relatively equal" can add a layer of precision, acknowledging minor differences while still conveying overall similarity.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively equal" when the items being compared have significant differences. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively equal" functions as a modifier, specifically describing the degree to which two or more entities share a common attribute or value. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It indicates a state of near-equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively equal" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state of near-equivalence between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for diverse writing styles, with a slight preference for formal and objective contexts. Its primary function is to convey similarity while acknowledging the existence of minor differences. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the items being compared indeed share a significant degree of similarity to avoid misleading readers. Related phrases include "proportionally equal", "substantially equal", and "roughly equal", each adding a slightly different nuance to the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proportionally equal

Highlights the equivalence in terms of proportion or ratio, emphasizing a balanced relationship.

substantially equal

Emphasizes that the equality is significant and considerable, though not necessarily perfect.

roughly equal

Indicates an approximate equality, allowing for some degree of imprecision or variation.

fairly equal

Suggests a reasonable level of equality, implying a sense of justice or impartiality in the comparison.

rather equal

Indicates a noticeable degree of equality, somewhat less precise than "fairly equal".

nearly equal

Emphasizes the closeness to being equal, suggesting a very small difference between the compared items.

virtually equal

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the items are equivalent, even if minor differences exist.

very equal

Directly emphasizes a high degree of equality, without additional nuance.

pretty equal

Informal way to describe things being closely matched or balanced.

reasonably equal

Indicates a moderate level of equality that is acceptable or satisfactory in a given context.

FAQs

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

Use "relatively equal" to describe two or more items that possess similar but not identical characteristics or values. For example, "The two candidates had "relatively equal" chances of winning the election."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "relatively equal"?

Alternatives to "relatively equal" include "roughly equal", "substantially equal", or "fairly equal". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

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

Yes, "relatively equal" is appropriate for formal writing. It provides a nuanced way to express similarity without implying perfect equality, which is often more accurate and credible.

What's the difference between "relatively equal" and "equal"?

"Equal" implies that two or more things are exactly the same. "Relatively equal" suggests that they are similar enough to be considered comparable in a specific context, even if they are not identical.