they were equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'they were equal' is correct and usable in written English.
This sentence can be used to express that two things, people, or ideas had the same value, ability, or importance. For example: "The twins were equal in intelligence; they both aced all their tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

All of them were equally black because they were equal heirs to the quirks of chance determining whether their ancestry from Europe or Africa was most apparent.

The New Yorker

They were equal partners in her own treatment.

The New Yorker

Traditionally, when performers forged partnerships with labels, they were equal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were equal passions, pursued with equal seriousness.

The Guardian - Books

They were equal at 20 blocked shots apiece.

The Guardian - Sport

"Those people would never say they were equal, or that everything's great, no".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"They were equals, in many ways.

The New Yorker

It was like checkers; they were equals, and it was fun.

The New Yorker

They are equal partners.

The New York Times

"They're equal," she said.

The New York Times

And they're equal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were equal", ensure the context clearly defines the aspect in which they are equal. For example, "They were equal in terms of experience" provides more clarity than simply stating "They were equal."

Common error

Avoid using "they were equal" without specifying the criteria for equality. Saying "they were equal" without context leaves room for misinterpretation. Always clarify the aspect of equality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were equal" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject ('they') as having the same value or quality. As supported by Ludwig's AI, the phrase indicates equivalence in some aspect. Examples illustrate various contexts where entities share equal attributes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were equal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to assert equivalence between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and scientific publications. Its function is to highlight that the subjects share the same status, value, or characteristic. While alternatives like "they were equivalent" and "they were the same" exist, "they were equal" remains a direct and widely accepted way to express equality, provided the context clearly defines the aspect of equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were equivalent

Replaces "equal" with "equivalent", suggesting a similar but not necessarily identical value.

they were the same

Emphasizes identical qualities or characteristics.

they were identical

Highlights complete similarity in all aspects.

they were on par

Indicates equality in status or performance.

they were evenly matched

Suggests equality in terms of skill or strength.

they were comparable

Focuses on the ability to compare them due to similar qualities.

they were indistinguishable

Highlights the difficulty in telling them apart due to their similarity.

they were alike

Simple and direct way of expressing similarity.

they were of equal standing

Highlights equivalence in rank, importance, or status.

they were balanced

Implies an equilibrium or even distribution of qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "they were equal" in a sentence?

Use "they were equal" to indicate that two or more entities share the same value, status, or characteristic. For example, "In the competition, they were equal in skill." Remember to provide context for the equality.

What are some alternatives to "they were equal"?

You can use alternatives like "they were equivalent", "they were the same", or "they were identical" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but "they are equal" refers to the present, while "they were equal" refers to the past. Choose the tense that matches your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "they were equal" and "they were comparable"?

"They were equal" implies an exact match in some aspect, while "they were comparable" suggests they share enough similarities to be compared, but may not be identical. "They were equal" is a stronger statement of equivalence.