substantially equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that two or more things are similar in a significant way, often in legal, financial, or mathematical discussions. Example: "The two properties are considered substantially equal in value, making them suitable for the exchange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That is to annuitize, or take substantially equal periodic payments.

The New York Times

His job is to divide the state into 29 districts of substantially equal population, down from 31.

The New York Times

The rule makes clear, for example, that insurers can substitute one covered service for another as long as they are in the same broad category and "substantially equal".

The New York Times - Health

"There could be some relief for some people" from penalties on early withdrawals, he explained, referring to an arcane plan known as substantially equal periodic payments.

The New York Times

In international exchange, parity refers to the exchange rate between the currencies of two countries making the purchasing power of both currencies substantially equal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The court found that racial segregation violated Hartford rights and the State Constitution, saying: "Every passing day denies these children their constitutional right to a substantially equal educational opportunity".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The distribution of after-tax income has become substantially less equal.

The New York Times

The bishoprics of Alexandria, Rome, and Antioch were placed substantially on equal footing".

Wikipedia

For better health, in short, we need a political overhaul that encourages a substantially more equal distribution of income and wealth.

Huffington Post

However, income distribution is substantially more equal than in other countries of the former Soviet Union.

BMC Public Health

It's also important to note that to secure the support of Republican minority leader Everett Dirksen, Johnson agreed to substantially weaken the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially equal" in legal or financial contexts, ensure that the degree of difference is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify a percentage range or a threshold.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially equal" when there are significant or material differences. It is best used when differences are minor and do not fundamentally alter the nature or value of what is being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially equal" primarily functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a high degree of similarity or equivalence without being perfectly identical. As shown in Ludwig examples, it is often used in contexts where precise equality is difficult to achieve or measure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially equal" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a high degree of similarity or equivalence. While not implying perfect sameness, it suggests that any differences are minor and inconsequential. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "substantially equal", it's important to ensure that the context supports the claim of near-equivalence and that any deviations are indeed insignificant. Alternatives such as "largely equivalent" or "virtually identical" can provide similar meanings with slightly different shades of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially the same

Highlights the fundamental sameness despite superficial differences.

virtually identical

Suggests that for all practical purposes, the items are the same.

practically identical

Emphasizes the practical similarity, even if minor differences exist.

largely equivalent

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity but doesn't necessarily imply perfect equality.

nearly the same

Highlights the close proximity in nature or value without asserting complete equivalence.

approximately equivalent

Indicates that the items have an equal value or effect in most cases.

roughly equivalent

Suggests an approximate equivalence, allowing for some minor variation.

much the same

Indicates a high degree of sameness but may lack precision.

comparable

Indicates that items can be compared without significant discrepancies.

tantamount to

Conveys that the items are effectively the same in terms of consequence or effect.

FAQs

What does "substantially equal" mean?

The phrase "substantially equal" means that two or more things are very similar or equivalent in most important respects, though not necessarily identical. It implies that any differences are minor or insignificant.

When is it appropriate to use "substantially equal"?

It's appropriate to use "substantially equal" when describing situations where things are mostly the same but have slight variations. This is common in legal, financial, and scientific contexts where precise equivalence may not be possible or required.

What can I say instead of "substantially equal"?

You can use alternatives like "largely equivalent", "virtually identical", or "nearly the same" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "substantially equal" differ from "exactly equal"?

"Exactly equal" means that two things are identical in every aspect, while "substantially equal" means they are very similar but may have minor differences. The former implies perfect sameness; the latter allows for slight variations.