unequally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unequally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where things are not distributed or treated in an equal manner. Example: "The resources were allocated unequally among the team members, leading to dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone agrees, he says, that justice involves treating equal persons equally, and treating unequal persons unequally, but they do not agree on the standard by which individuals are deemed to be equally (or unequally) meritorious or deserving.

SEP

The Indigenous men who had volunteered came back and returned to a desperately unequal society and were treated unequally," he said.

The Guardian

It is, however, enough to justify putting effort into improving this approach.Related items AIDS vaccines: A fluttering in the breezeSep 3rd 2009 HIV in young people: Unequally at riskMay 7th 2009 AIDS: The ideal and the goodNov 27th 2008Traditional vaccines work mainly by priming the immune system so that it knows how to make antibodies to a particular infectious agent.

The Economist

At the same time, the share of income gained through self-employment has increased; and earnings from self-employment are more unequally distributed than employment income.However, the government's tax policies also appear to have played their part in the widening of the income gap.

The Economist

War service, for example, transformed the attitudes of many aristocrat officers, who shared its travails, however unequally, with the peasantry.

The Economist

In general wealth is the most unequally distributed of the three, consumption the least.

The Economist

Since capital tends to be unequally distributed, this implies higher inequality.

The Economist

Violence and pollution are spread even more unequally.

The Economist

But the costs and benefits are unequally shared in the Kyoto approach.

The Economist

The Hindu-speaking population, "hitherto unequally yoked with the Bengali," are now to be included in a separate province based on a culture and language distinct from that of Bengal.

The Economist

The potential dangers of such unequally distributed benefits were dramatically illustrated in mid-June, when a wealthy, disqualified and therefore disgruntled presidential candidate organised an unsuccessful attempt to take over the seat of government, by paying a few dollars each to hundreds of poor people.Mr Bakiev, of course, has vowed to create jobs and to eliminate corruption.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unequally", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being distributed or treated in an equivalent manner to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what is being allocated or the criteria being used.

Common error

Avoid using "unequally" without a clear reference point. Ensure it's evident what is being compared or distributed to prevent misinterpretation. For example, instead of saying "Resources were allocated unequally", specify "Resources were allocated unequally among departments".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unequally" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which something is done or distributed, indicating a lack of equality. According to Ludwig AI, the term is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unequally" functions as an adverb, denoting a lack of equality in distribution or treatment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts to highlight disparities and biases. When using "unequally", ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""disproportionately"" or ""unevenly"" depending on the specific nuance. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively convey their intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionately

Emphasizes that the distribution or treatment is not in proportion or balance.

unevenly

Highlights the lack of uniformity or smoothness in distribution or quality.

unfairly

Focuses on the lack of justice or impartiality in the treatment or distribution.

in an imbalanced way

Highlights the lack of equilibrium in the manner something is done or distributed.

with disparity

Emphasizes the significant difference or inequality between things.

in a skewed manner

Implies a biased or distorted distribution or treatment.

with partiality

Highlights favoritism or bias towards one side or person.

not uniformly

Stresses the absence of consistent or identical treatment.

discriminatorily

Indicates prejudice or biased behavior in the way things are handled.

in a lopsided fashion

Suggests that one side is favored or larger than the other.

FAQs

How can I use "unequally" in a sentence?

You can use "unequally" to describe situations where resources, opportunities, or treatment are not distributed or applied in a fair or balanced manner. For instance, "The burden of the new policy fell "unequally" on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to using "unequally"?

Alternatives to "unequally" include "disproportionately", "unevenly", or "unfairly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "distributed unequally"?

Yes, "distributed unequally" is grammatically correct. It describes how something is distributed in a manner that lacks equality. For example, "The funds were distributed "unequally" among the regions."

What's the difference between "unequally" and "unfairly"?

"Unequally" simply indicates a lack of equality in distribution or treatment, while "unfairly" implies a lack of justice or impartiality. Something can be distributed "unequally" without necessarily being "unfairly", and vice versa, though they often overlap.