very equal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very equal to" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a strong equivalence, but it is generally better to use simpler expressions. Example: "In terms of performance, this model is very equal to the previous version."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But she hangs with the guys and is very equal to them in the comedy and everything else".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We both have good bonds with the children since we spend a lot of time with them, and it has also had a positive effect on our own relationship, since it feels very equal to be dividing both types of work between us.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The real I2 in viruses is very possibly equal to x log(x) because in this way viruses can use fixed length of regulatory sequence log(x) for every gene or operon.

Biology Direct

In the F region of the ionosphere, κi and κe are very large, so the ion and electron velocities perpendicular to B are very nearly equal to each other.

International Geophysics

Our main result is that in the investigated patient group, there is a very pronounced linear correlation K s  = a + b · K m, where b is very nearly equal to one (see Figure 2A).

EJNMMI Research

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the new money coming in was very nearly equal to the outflow in April, according to an estimate by Merrill Lynch.

The New York Times

"I Injoy all the Agreable conversation I can come at Properly," she wrote to her brother, "but I find Litle, very Litle, Equal to that I have a Right to by Nature but am deprived of by Provedence".

The New Yorker

The suggestion was met with little enthusiasm until the mean distance of Uranus, at 19.2 AU, was noted to be very nearly equal to that predicted by Bode's law (19.6 AU) for n = 6.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While I've always believed that African-Caribbean stories were, at the very least, equal to those of the other human tribes, the executives on the sixth floor of BBC's Television Centre –and also at ITV, although the BBC is just about the only game in town these days – have traditionally held a different view.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the best reported case (line 3 of Table 2), the MSE value was very low, equal to 0.02.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more concise alternatives like "nearly equal" or "almost identical" to improve clarity and flow in your writing. These options often convey the same meaning with fewer words.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers. Phrases like "very, very equal to" are redundant and weaken your prose. Choose a single, strong adjective or adverb instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very equal to" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a high degree of equivalence or similarity. Ludwig suggests it might sound awkward and advises simpler expressions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very equal to" aims to express a high degree of similarity. However, Ludwig notes that it can sound awkward. While grammatically acceptable, it's often better to use alternatives like "nearly equivalent", "almost identical", or to rephrase for greater clarity. The phrase appears in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, avoid overusing intensifiers and consider more concise options for improved impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical to

Emphasizes near-perfect similarity, implying a negligible difference.

virtually the same as

Highlights that for all practical purposes, the items are indistinguishable.

nearly equivalent to

Focuses on functional or quantitative similarity, rather than absolute identity.

closely resembles

Suggests a similarity in appearance or characteristics, but not necessarily in function.

comparable to

Indicates that the items are suitable for comparison and share some common attributes.

on par with

Implies a level of equality in quality or performance.

matches closely with

Highlights a precise alignment or agreement between two things.

just as good as

Indicates that an option is of equivalent value or quality. Slightly informal.

roughly equivalent to

Implies an estimation of equality or similarity.

tantamount to

Highlights an equivalence in effect or consequence, often in a negative context.

FAQs

What does "very equal to" mean?

The phrase "very equal to" suggests that two things are extremely similar or have almost the same value or characteristics. However, it's often more effective to use alternatives like "nearly equivalent to" or "almost identical to".

Is it grammatically correct to say "very equal to"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very equal to" is often considered stylistically awkward. It's usually better to rephrase the sentence for improved clarity and conciseness. Alternatives include "approximately equal to" or just "equal to", depending on the intended emphasis.

What are some alternatives to "very equal to" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "virtually the same as", "closely resembles" or "comparable to". These options often convey a similar meaning with greater precision and elegance.

How can I avoid using "very equal to" in my writing?

Focus on specifying the degree of similarity or equivalence. Instead of saying "the results were very equal to each other", try "the results were nearly identical" or "the results were statistically equivalent". This provides more information and avoids the potentially awkward phrasing.