unable to equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something cannot match or reach the same level as something else, often in terms of quality or performance. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the new product was unable to equal the success of its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A greater therapeutic density of both physiotherapeutic interventions and methods of movement therapy in the CG proved unable to equal the added benefit of hyperthermia.

Clinical interventions in aging

For once the story was not about Jamie Vardy, unable to equal Jimmy Dunne's top-flight record of scoring in a dozen consecutive games, but about his august deputy Riyad Mahrez.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Repeatedly we found that the leaders were unable to give equal weight to the human aspects of the restoration.

Huffington Post

We were unable to obtain equal numbers in each cell of our sampling frameworks due to difficulties with recruitment.

BMC Family Practice

We have been unable to find its equal, both in price and flavor.

The New York Times - Food

Due to their late occurrence in evolution, these genes might also have been unable to accumulate an equal amount of microRNA-binding sites.

BMC Genomics

However, given that nearly half of the patients had a PEEP value of 5 cmH2O, we were unable to create four equal groups and so the sample was divided into thirds.

British Medical Journal

and responded to the natural progression of health needs experienced by their clients (e.g. HCV, HIV/AIDS, etc).. Participants acknowledged that, while unable to provide services equal to those provided in end-of-life care settings, they had greater cultural competence in providing care for this population.

BMC Public Health

"Nick did not adjust well to being given the honorary title of president and it soon became obvious that he was unable to work as an equal member of the team and alarmingly his behaviour became more erratic and disruptive".

The Guardian

Two other candidates, Maher Hajjar and Hassan al-Nouri, are hardly known and critics say they have been unable to campaign on an equal footing with the president.

BBC

However, the other two candidates are not widely known and have been unable to campaign on an equal footing with the president, correspondents say.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to equal", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared and the specific aspect in which the comparison is being made. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to equal" without specifying the criteria for comparison. For instance, instead of saying 'The product was unable to equal', specify 'The product was unable to equal the previous version in sales figures'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to equal" typically functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a deficiency in achieving a comparable level or standard. It highlights a failure to match a particular attribute or performance, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to equal" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote that something fails to reach the same level as something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is valid and understandable in written English. While relatively rare in occurrence, it effectively conveys a deficiency in comparison, finding use in both scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the basis for comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot match

Uses a different verb to express the inability to reach the same level.

falls short of

Employs a more metaphorical expression to indicate a failure to reach a certain standard.

fails to meet

Indicates a failure to achieve a particular requirement or expectation.

does not compare to

Highlights the disparity in quality or performance between two things.

is no match for

Suggests a significant difference in capability or strength.

is inferior to

Directly states that something is of lower quality or status.

is not as good as

A simpler way of expressing that something is of a lower standard.

lacks the quality of

Focuses on the missing attributes that prevent something from reaching the same level.

cannot compete with

Emphasizes the inability to contend with something else, often in a competitive context.

is not on par with

Indicates that something does not meet the expected or required standard.

FAQs

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

Use "unable to equal" to describe something that can't reach the same level or standard as something else. For example, 'The new software was unable to equal the performance of its predecessor'.

What are some alternatives to "unable to equal"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot match", "falls short of", or "fails to meet" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "unable to equal" or "unable to be equal"?

"Unable to equal" is the more concise and grammatically sound option. "Unable to be equal" is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "unable to equal" and "not equal to"?

"Unable to equal" suggests an attempt or expectation that was not fulfilled, while "not equal to" is a more neutral statement of difference. For example, 'The sequel was unable to equal the original's success' versus 'The sequel's box office revenue was not equal to the original's'.