to be equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be equal to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to signify that two or more things are the same or to point out the level of equivalence between two or more things. For example: We want all students in the school 'to be equal' with regards to resources they have access to.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thought had to be equal to articulation.

The New Yorker

Our cause is to be equal to his courage.

The New York Times

"They wanted to be equal to the boss," she said.

The New York Times

But younger brothers sometimes want to be equal to their older brothers".

The New York Times - Science

"This is a way to make Rwanda to be equal, to use English.

The Guardian

Furthermore, their wages now seem to be equal to the pay of workers in war plants.

The New Yorker

The associated Lagrange multiplier now has to be equal to.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The reference distance is chosen to be equal to 2R.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In our simulation, we set to be equal to 1.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The noise power is taken to be equal to.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The percentage error was found to be equal to 4.6%%.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be equal to" in technical writing, define the specific criteria for equality to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you're referring to numerical value, functional performance, or some other attribute.

Common error

Avoid using "to be equal to" when you actually mean "to be similar to" or "to approximate". Equality implies an exact match, whereas similarity suggests a resemblance that allows for comparison but isn't identical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be equal to" functions primarily as a copular verb complement. It links the subject of a sentence to a noun, adjective, or another phrase that describes or renames it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be equal to" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express equivalence or identity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business settings. While generally neutral, it leans toward formality, emphasizing precision and clarity. When writing, remember to use "to be equal to" when you mean things are identical. Consider alternatives like "to be equivalent to" or "to be the same as" for nuanced meaning. Avoid confusing equality with similarity to maintain accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be equivalent to

Uses "equivalent" instead of "equal", suggesting a match in value or effect, though not necessarily in form.

to be identical to

Implies a complete and exact match, leaving no room for variation.

to be the same as

A more informal way of expressing equality, suitable for everyday conversation.

to correspond to

Suggests a similarity or analogy between two things, rather than exact equality.

to be comparable to

Indicates that two things are similar enough to be compared, even if they're not exactly equal.

to be on par with

Implies that something is at the same level or standard as something else.

to be tantamount to

Suggests that something is virtually the same as something else, especially in terms of effect or consequence.

to be commensurate with

Indicates that something is in proportion or corresponds in degree or amount.

to be analogous to

Highlights a similarity between two things that allows for comparison.

to approximate to

Indicates a close but not exact resemblance or equality.

FAQs

How can I use "to be equal to" in a sentence?

You can use "to be equal to" to indicate that two or more things have the same value, measure, or quantity. For instance, "In this equation, x has "to be equal to" 5 in order for the equation to balance."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to be equivalent to", "to be identical to", or "to be the same as".

When is it appropriate to use "to be equal to" versus "to be similar to"?

"To be equal to" should be used when things are exactly the same in terms of a specific characteristic, while "to be similar to" is used when things share characteristics but are not exactly the same.

What does it mean for something "to be on par with" something else?

"To be on par with" suggests that something is at the same level or standard as something else, implying equality in quality or status. This is slightly different from saying that two things ""to be equal to"" because "on par" suggests a level of performance and does not imply a specific measurement is identical.