weight for weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight for weight" is not correct in English; it should be "weight for weight." You can use it when comparing two substances or items based on their weight equivalence in terms of value or effect.
Example: "When comparing the two materials, the cheaper option is more effective weight for weight."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Graphene is transparent, electrically conducting, flexible, stretchable and, weight for weight, much stronger than steel.

The Guardian

Weight for weight, plumbers were as expensive as smoked salmon and harder to find.

The New Yorker

Pound for pound and weight for weight British higher education continues to lead the world in research and in teaching.

The Guardian

Rechargeable batteries based on lithium chemistry store more energy, weight for weight, than any other sort.

The Economist

Indeed weight for weight, in places such as sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia, people waste only around a tenth of what we do.

The Guardian - Opinion

He arrived at his figures after a series of experiments with dogs, which he claims, have about the same ability to handle alcohol as man, weight for weight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Claims that these prices promote scammery are now prompting some searching questions.The gas at the centre of the controversy is HFC-23, a greenhouse gas which, on a weight-for-weight basis, is 14,800 times better at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

The Economist

Gadsden's security measures were very tight, as weight-for-weight, rough sapphires were and continue to be worth much more than gold.

Wikipedia

Urea is sometimes used to grit suspension bridges, as it does not corrode iron or steel at all, but urea is less effective than salt, and can cost up to 7 times more weight-for-weight.

Wikipedia

These higher exposures emphasize the general concern about greater intake, on a weight-for-weight basis, in very young children.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

These indices can be used to calculate for each fraction a further statistic, the "tumorigenic ratio" (TR), which conveniently measures the activity of the fraction relative to whole-smoke condensate on a weight-for-weight basis.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items using the phrase "weight for weight", ensure the comparison is meaningful and relevant to the context. Specify what property is being compared, such as strength, cost, or energy content.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the units of weight being used (e.g. grams, pounds, tonnes) to avoid misinterpretation, especially in technical contexts. Be consistent with your units.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weight for weight" functions as an adverbial phrase or prepositional phrase, modifying a comparison statement. It indicates that the comparison is being made based on equivalent weights of the items being compared. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as material strength, energy storage, and economic value.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weight for weight" is used to make direct comparisons between items based on equivalent weights, ensuring an objective assessment. Ludwig AI considers the usage acceptable in a variety of contexts, especially in news, science, and technical fields. While often interchangeable with alternatives like "pound for pound", clarity is improved with "weight-for-weight" especially in formal contexts. Remember to specify the weight units and properties being compared for maximum clarity. Used appropriately, "weight for weight" is a useful tool for comparing intrinsic properties and values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pound for pound

Emphasizes a direct comparison of value or strength relative to each pound of weight; very similar in meaning.

gram for gram

A comparison made for each gram of weight, emphasizing a more granular level of comparison.

normalized by weight

The value is being considered based on a specific mass unit.

on a weight basis

A more general term indicating that comparisons are made considering the weight of the items.

per unit weight

Emphasis is on the rate or amount for each standard unit of weight.

by weight

A simple indication that quantity is determined by mass.

weight-wise

Informal way to say something is being considered with respect to its weight.

proportional to weight

Expresses a direct relationship where one property increases or decreases with the weight.

mass-related

Indicates that the characteristic being discussed is related to the mass of the object.

considering its weight

More general; indicates that the weight is a factor in the evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "weight for weight" in a sentence?

Use "weight for weight" to compare the properties of two substances or items based on their mass. For example, "Weight for weight, this new alloy is stronger than steel."

What phrases are similar to "weight for weight"?

Alternatives include "pound for pound", "gram for gram", or "on a weight basis", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "weight for weight" or "weight-for-weight"?

Both forms are used, but "weight-for-weight" is often preferred in more formal or technical writing as it clearly functions as a compound adjective. However, usage of "weight for weight" is also acceptable.

What does "weight for weight" mean when comparing nutritional values?

When comparing nutritional values, "weight for weight" indicates that the comparison is based on equal weights of different foods. For example, "Weight for weight, chicken has more protein than beef."