were nearly equally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were nearly equally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more things are almost the same in quantity, quality, or degree. Example: "The two teams were nearly equally matched in skill, making for an exciting game."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The female students were nearly equally surprised.

The New York Times - Magazine

Findings indicate that program and non-program children were nearly equally likely to be reunified.

Children and Youth Services Review

For the subject categories, C-E-N were nearly equally represented among EIS, and better represented than H-G.

Ecological Indicators

At a recent Montgomery town hall meeting about dockless bikes, the 300 attendees were nearly equally divided for and against the program, Erenrich said.

The Washington Post

A poll published this week by Kyodo News showed that respondents were nearly equally split on the question of whether the pacifist clause should be revised.

The New York Times

In 1988, Democrats and Republicans surveyed by the American National Election Studies were nearly equally supportive of federal spending on "improving and protecting the environment". Partisan differences in environmental spending at that time were smaller even than differences on relatively uncontroversial issues like Social Security and schools.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The total area of 215 square miles (556 square km) is nearly equally apportioned between Florida and Mississippi.

Britannica

Many of the inhibitors evaluated proved to be nearly equally potent against both EL and LPL, but several exhibited moderate to good selectivity for EL.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

The Republicans are nearly equally divided over whether to select a nominee whom they agree with on issues or who stands the best chance of defeating Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Examined food remains in nest of kingfisher, found one-tenth of them to be nearly equally divided between berry seeds and the hard parts of grasshoppers.

The New Yorker

Opinion polls show that while his countrymen are nearly equally divided on whether he should face trial for the 1970 killings, four in five accept his explanation for declaring martial law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were nearly equally", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared. For instance, specify the attributes or characteristics that are almost equal to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were nearly equally" when comparing items where absolute equality is expected or required. For example, if you're referring to percentages that must add up to 100%, use language that reflects potential rounding errors or slight variations instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were nearly equally" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying the degree to which two or more entities are similar or equivalent. It suggests an approximate equality, indicating that the entities are close but not identical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were nearly equally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that two or more items are approximately equivalent. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It finds frequent application across scientific literature and news media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases, such as "were almost equal" or "were approximately equal", can be used to add nuance. It's important to avoid using "were nearly equally" when absolute equality is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were almost equal

Emphasizes a slight difference rather than perfect equality.

were approximately equal

Highlights that the equality is not exact but close.

were roughly equivalent

Suggests a looser sense of equality, implying some degree of estimation.

were about the same

More informal and conversational, indicating a general similarity.

were virtually identical

Emphasizes a very high degree of similarity, close to perfect equality.

were closely matched

Highlights the similarity in terms of a competitive or comparative aspect.

were on par

Implies that the items or entities are at the same level or standard.

were comparable

Suggests that the items can be compared due to their similarity.

were much alike

A simpler, more direct way of expressing similarity.

were substantially similar

Emphasizes that the similarities are significant and important.

FAQs

How can I use "were nearly equally" in a sentence?

Use "were nearly equally" to describe situations where two or more things are almost the same in quantity, quality, or degree. For example, "The two candidates "were nearly equally" qualified for the job".

What are some alternatives to "were nearly equally"?

You can use alternatives like "were almost equal", "were approximately equal", or "were roughly equivalent" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "were nearly equally"?

Yes, "were nearly equally" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It accurately conveys that items or entities being compared have close, but not exact, equivalence.

What's the difference between "were nearly equally" and "were exactly equal"?

"Were nearly equally" implies a slight difference or variation, while "were exactly equal" indicates a precise equivalence. The former allows for minor discrepancies, whereas the latter denotes perfect alignment.