very equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"very equal" is not an accepted phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase "equally" instead to create a phrase like: "The playing field was equally fair for all participants."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"They're both very equal.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was very equal.

The Guardian - Music

I'm very equal opportunities, me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But they are very equal.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a very equal partnership.

The Guardian - Film

"But on balance it was very equal".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And as its competitors behave with courtesy, dignity and generosity of spirit, couldn't you also say that, as example of how a top-class, televised, big money sport can be practiced with decorum, darts has very equals.

Independent

A kilogram is very nearly equal (it was originally intended to be exactly equal) to the mass of 1,000 cubic cm of water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

is constant over a temperature range of roughly to and is very nearly equal to.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Gay men now stand very nearly equal with their heterosexual brothers before the law.

The Guardian - Books

The measurements are very much equal to an American measuring cup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "very equal" appears in writing, consider using more conventional phrases like "nearly equal", "almost equal", or simply "equal" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Depending on the context, "comparable" or "similar" might also be suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "very equal" when more precise or grammatically standard alternatives exist. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound awkward or less polished. Instead of saying, "The two candidates are very equal", use "The two candidates are nearly equal" or "The two candidates are comparable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very equal" functions as an intensifier (very) modifying an adjective (equal). Although Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, the phrase appears in various sources, suggesting an attempt to express a high degree of equivalence or similarity. However, more conventional alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very equal" attempts to intensify the adjective "equal", suggesting a high degree of similarity. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing is not considered standard English and may sound awkward. While somewhat common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, it's advisable to use more grammatically correct alternatives such as "nearly equal", "almost equal", "highly comparable", or simply "equal", depending on the intended nuance. When in doubt, opting for precise alternatives ensures clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost equivalent

Suggests near equivalence but allows for slight discrepancies or variations.

nearly identical

Indicates a very high degree of similarity, approaching perfect identity.

virtually identical

Indicates a very close similarity, suggesting differences are negligible.

largely the same

Highlights the overall similarity with minor differences, focusing on the shared qualities.

closely matched

Emphasizes a careful or deliberate matching process, with results being very similar.

substantially equivalent

Points to a significant degree of equivalence, suggesting meaningful similarities outweigh differences.

highly comparable

Emphasizes the degree to which things can be compared directly, highlighting similarities.

fairly comparable

Indicates a reasonable degree of similarity, suggesting the items can be compared without significant discrepancies.

roughly equivalent

Suggests that while not perfectly equal, the items are similar enough for practical purposes.

remarkably similar

Highlights the striking resemblance between items, focusing on the surprising aspect of their similarity.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "very equal"?

Consider using "nearly equal", "almost equal", or simply "equal". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of equivalence you want to convey.

Is "very equal" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "very equal" appears in some sources, it's not considered standard English. More precise alternatives like "largely the same" or "substantially equivalent" may be more appropriate.

In what contexts might I use something other than "very equal"?

In academic or formal writing, avoid "very equal". Opt for phrases like "highly comparable" or "closely matched" depending on the nuance you want to express.

How does "very equal" differ from "equal"?

"Equal" implies an exact correspondence, while "very equal" attempts to express a high degree of similarity. However, the phrasing isn't grammatically ideal. It's better to use alternatives that convey near-equivalence more precisely such as "virtually identical" or "almost equivalent".