somewhat equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more things are similar or comparable to a certain degree, but not completely the same. Example: "The two teams were somewhat equal in skill, making the match very competitive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Katz puts "somewhat equal" in quotations, but I never use any such phrase.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is especially so because the Blues and the Red Wings have been somewhat equal the first two games.

The New York Times - Sports

One cannot help but feel that interrupting a meal and interrupting a woman's life are offences held in somewhat equal regard in this world.

The Guardian - Opinion

But where he is unfortunately aligned with the current political trends into the far-out is in the acrobatics of trying to make Soviet evils of 1940-41 "somequal equal" to that.

The Guardian - Opinion

But suffice it to say that while in the past they met on a somewhat equal footing, with each seeking something from the other, the subtext of their respective ages becomes overt in this episode.

The New York Times

Somewhat equal flavor ratio of astrophysical neutrinos is expected at Earth assuming standard thorough oscillation.

Nuclear and Particle Physics Proceedings

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Though the P-I generally sits somewhat to the left of the Times, both papers usually endorse a fairly equal number of Republicans and Democrats.

The Guardian - Books

In the process of winning the war (with some help from its friends), Britain did become a somewhat more equal society.

Independent

Two salads were standouts: Spinach salad, with pear, a few too many cranberries, bacon, goat cheese and red onion, was pleasingly playful; the marinated beet salad with arugula, goat cheese, red onion and toasted almonds was its somewhat subdued equal.

The New York Times

Dr. Johnson, who specializes in research on the somewhat more equal role of women in Egyptian society, said Demotic contracts on papyrus scrolls detailed a husband's acknowledgment of the money his wife brought into the marriage and the promise to provide her with a set amount of food and money for clothing each year of their marriage.

The New York Times - Science

Self-perceived general health was assessed using a visual analogue scale, and self-perceived physical fitness compared to age mates was asked using five categories (highly lower, somewhat lower, equal, somewhat better, highly better).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat equal", ensure the context clarifies the specific aspects in which the items being compared are similar. This avoids ambiguity and provides a more precise understanding of the degree of equality.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat equal" when the items being compared are clearly unequal or significantly different. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat equal" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which two or more entities share similar characteristics. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase implies a moderate level of equivalence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat equal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase indicating a moderate degree of similarity or equivalence. As shown in Ludwig AI, its primary function is to convey that two or more entities share some characteristics without being entirely identical. It finds frequent application in science and news contexts, with a neutral register. When using the phrase, it is important to clarify the aspects in which the items are similar and avoid overstating the degree of equality. Alternatives like "fairly equal" or "relatively equal" may be used to convey slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly equal

Emphasizes a reasonable level of equality, slightly stronger than "somewhat equal".

relatively equal

Indicates equality is present when compared to something else, introducing a comparative aspect.

roughly equal

Suggests an approximate equality, implying some minor differences exist.

comparatively equal

Highlights equality when viewed in relation to other factors or items being compared.

moderately equal

Specifies that the level of equality is neither high nor low, but somewhere in the middle.

reasonably equal

Indicates that the equality is sensible and justifiable, though not necessarily perfect.

somewhat similar

Shifts the focus from strict equality to a general likeness or resemblance.

nearly equal

Suggests a close approximation to equality, with only slight deviations.

almost equal

Similar to 'nearly equal', denoting a high degree of equivalence that falls just short of being complete.

approximately equal

Indicates an estimated equality, where precision is not required or available.

FAQs

What does "somewhat equal" mean?

The phrase "somewhat equal" suggests that two or more things are similar or comparable to a certain degree, but not entirely the same. The similarity is moderate, not absolute.

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

You can use "somewhat equal" to describe things that share some characteristics but aren't completely identical. For instance, "The two candidates have "fairly equal" chances of winning the election."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat equal"?

Alternatives to "somewhat equal" include "relatively equal", "roughly equal", or "comparatively equal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "somewhat equal" or "almost equal"?

"Somewhat equal" implies a moderate degree of similarity, while "almost equal" suggests a very high degree of similarity, nearly reaching complete equality. The choice depends on the actual relationship between the items you're describing.