they are equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are equal to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things or individuals and to express that they are of the same value, amount, or level. Example: "In terms of salary, the two candidates are equal to each other, making it difficult to choose who to hire."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In other words, the two frequencies cannot maintain equilibrium once they are equal to each other.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

But actually, it tells us that they are equal to each other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Edwards campaign officials say that they are equal to the task.

The New York Times

They are equal to more than 200percentt of current G.D.P.

The New York Times - Magazine

It can only be hoped that, whatever plans are made for its future upkeep, they are equal to the ambitions of the structure.

The Guardian - Sport

To say that you have beliefs and that they are equal to everyone else's beliefs all the time is to devalue the concept of belief.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They're equal to the task, though – more than, in fact.

TechCrunch

In many ways, they're equal to the regular wired variety.

Forbes

Curvatures were initially called if they were equal to or greater than 1 mm deep.

Progress in Orthodontics

They were equal to 120 m and correspondingly the amplitudes of the displacement from the mean position were 60 m.

Geoscience Letters

They were equal to ten basis points last year in its Mid Cap index fund, or a total of $17 million--better than a stick in the eye.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what "they" refers to when using "they are equal to". This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the comparison being made.

Common error

Avoid using "they are equal to" when describing subjective qualities that are not quantifiable. Instead of saying "their experiences they are equal to mine", opt for "their experiences are similar to mine" or "their experiences are comparable to mine". The phrase is not suitable for comparing experiences or opinions, which are difficult to quantify.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are equal to" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that two or more entities possess the same value, quantity, or characteristic. Ludwig provides various examples that demonstrates this usage, showing the phrase's role in establishing equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are equal to" serves to express that multiple entities share the same value or attributes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression. The phrase finds frequent application in scientific and news-related contexts, with substantial presence in academic and encyclopedia sources, showcasing its versatility across various disciplines. When using "they are equal to", ensure that the context clearly defines the entities being compared and that the comparison involves quantifiable aspects rather than subjective qualities. For conveying equal meaning consider alternative phrases such as "they are equivalent to", "they are the same as", or "they amount to" to enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are equivalent to

Emphasizes interchangeability or functional identity.

they are the same as

Highlights an identical nature or characteristic.

they amount to

Focuses on the total or resulting value being the same.

they are comparable to

Suggests a similar level or degree in a specific aspect.

they are on par with

Indicates a matching standard or quality.

they correspond to

Highlights a direct relationship or matching feature.

they are commensurate with

Implies a proportional or corresponding measure.

they are analogous to

Suggests a similarity in function or appearance.

they are uniform with

Indicates consistency and lack of variation.

they are in line with

Implies agreement or conformity with a certain standard.

FAQs

How can I use "they are equal to" in a sentence?

Use "they are equal to" to indicate that two or more things have the same value or amount. For example, "The benefits and the risks, "they are equal to" each other, requiring careful consideration".

What are some alternatives to "they are equal to"?

Alternatives include "they are equivalent to", "they are the same as", or "they amount to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they are equally to" instead of "they are equal to"?

No, "they are equally to" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "they are equal to". "Equally" is an adverb and doesn't fit in this construction.

In what situations is "they are equivalent to" a better choice than "they are equal to"?

"They are equivalent to" might be a better choice when emphasizing that two things have the same function or effect, even if they are not identical in every aspect. "They are equal to" is more suitable when referring to quantities or measurements. For example, ""they are equivalent to" achieving the same outcome", versus ""they are equal to" 100 units".