that equates to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that equates to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a way to show an equal or equivalent value or meaning between two things. Example: The amount of work that he put in equates to the success he achieved in the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Right now, that equates to $45 billion.

Independent

Based on current shares outstanding, that equates to $163 million.

The New York Times

In dollars, that equates to a staggering $1.8 trillion.

The New York Times

And what that equates to is partisanship, in my view.

The Washington Post

To them, as to many blacks, that equates to being inherently masculine.

The New York Times - Magazine

On a $200,000 loan, that equates to a difference of about $400 a month.

The New York Times

Averaged over my modified 56-lap race that equates to just 0.11secs per lap.

BBC

That equates to roughly 8,000 titles.

The Guardian - Books

That equates to £5,200 per household.

The Guardian

That equates to around $120 a user.

The Guardian - Business

That equates to $25,200 a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that equates to" to clearly establish a numerical or quantitative equivalence. For example, "Spending $5 per day equates to $1,825 per year."

Common error

Avoid using "that equates to" when expressing a qualitative similarity or metaphorical relationship. Opt for alternatives like "that is similar to" or "that represents" when the connection is not numerical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that equates to" functions as a transitional phrase, connecting a preceding statement or calculation to its equivalent value or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to establish a direct relationship between two quantities or concepts. This use can be observed in the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that equates to" is a versatile and commonly used expression for establishing equivalence, particularly in quantitative contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and functions effectively to translate data into understandable terms. While primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and Academic writing. To maximize its impact, use it when a numerical or direct relationship exists, and avoid it in purely qualitative comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is equivalent to

Emphasizes a direct equivalence or sameness between two things.

that is the same as

Highlights the identity or indistinguishability of two things.

that is tantamount to

Suggests that the two things are virtually the same in effect or value, often used in more formal contexts.

that amounts to

Indicates that the two things combine to form a total or reach a certain level.

that is comparable to

Implies that the two things are similar or alike, but not necessarily identical.

that represents

Highlights the symbolic or indicative relationship between the two things.

that signifies

Emphasizes the meaning or implication of something.

that implies

Suggests that something is indirectly indicated or suggested by something else.

that results in

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship between the two things, highlighting the outcome.

that leads to

Similar to "that results in", but emphasizes the process or path leading to the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "that equates to" in a sentence?

Use "that equates to" to show a direct numerical or measurable equivalence. For example, "Earning $20 an hour that equates to $40,000 a year."

What are some alternatives to "that equates to"?

You can use alternatives such as "that is equivalent to", "that amounts to", or "that is the same as" depending on the context.

Is "that equates to" formal or informal?

"That equates to" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication. It appears frequently in "news and media".

What's the difference between "that equates to" and "that implies"?

"That equates to" indicates a direct equivalence, often numerical, whereas "that implies" suggests an indirect consequence or suggestion. For example, "a score of 90% that equates to an A grade" vs. "a lack of participation that implies disinterest".