which is tantamount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is tantamount" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically is used to refer to two similar situations or two things that are equal in importance. For example: "Working hard and studying diligently are tantamount; one cannot truly succeed without doing both."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ms. Gu received a suspended death sentence, which is tantamount to life in prison.

The New York Times

The UK has said it will abstain on the vote, which is tantamount to a no.

The Guardian

At the club level, globalization combined with commercialization thus produces two outcomes: better quality of the game, which is tantamount, in economics, to greater output; and greater concentration of winning clubs, which is tantamount to greater inequality.

Yale University

Ms. Gu was convicted in August 2012 and given a suspended death sentence, which is tantamount to life in prison.

The New York Times

News of McLeish's exit, which is tantamount to a sacking, comes as no great surprise given Rangers' poor domestic season.

The Guardian - Sport

A sexual encounter which is tantamount to rape in Wedekind is turned into a spoonily romantic coupling.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Which was tantamount to threatening him with reform school.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Thurmond won the runoff and the Democratic nomination, which was tantamount to election, with 56percentt of the vote.

The New York Times

The Brixton Academy had replaced an outdoor venue, which was tantamount to plucking a huge lorry off the motorway and giving it a cul-de-sac to scoot around.

The Guardian - Music

The Health Department issued advisories, which are tantamount to closings, on Aug. 13 in anticipation of heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Charley.

The New York Times

These recordings, which are tantamount to snuff films, are shared thousands of times, to the point that they're hard to avoid — on Twitter, on the morning news, on a TV screen at the gym.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is tantamount", ensure that the comparison is clear and the equivalence is justifiable. Avoid using it to equate loosely related concepts.

Common error

A common mistake is using "which is tantamount" when the compared items are only superficially similar. Make sure the two items are functionally or conceptually equivalent, not just vaguely related.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is tantamount" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding extra information about a preceding noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in written English, typically to equate two similar situations or things of equal importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is tantamount" functions as a relative clause used to express that something is essentially equivalent to something else. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, signifying a formal to neutral register. Related phrases include "which is equivalent to" and "which amounts to the same thing as". Remember to use "which is tantamount" when a clear equivalence exists, and avoid overstating similarities. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is equivalent to

Replaces "tantamount" with "equivalent", suggesting a direct and measurable equality.

which amounts to the same thing as

Emphasizes that the ultimate result or consequence is identical.

which is effectively the same as

Highlights the practical similarity despite any nominal differences.

which is virtually identical to

Suggests a very close resemblance, almost to the point of being indistinguishable.

which can be regarded as

Focuses on the interpretation or perspective from which two things can be seen as equal.

which is analogous to

Draws a comparison based on similar characteristics or relationships.

which is comparable to

Indicates that the two things are similar enough to be compared, often in terms of value or effect.

which is akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

which is on par with

Implies that the two things are of equal standing or quality.

which is substantially the same as

Underlines that the core or essential aspects are the same, even if minor differences exist.

FAQs

How do you use "which is tantamount" in a sentence?

The phrase "which is tantamount" is used to indicate that two things are essentially equal or have the same effect. For example, "Ignoring the warning signs, "which is tantamount to" inviting disaster, was their biggest mistake."

What can I say instead of "which is tantamount"?

You can use alternatives like "which is equivalent to", "which amounts to the same thing as", or "which is effectively the same as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is tantamount" instead of "which is tantamount"?

While "that is tantamount" can be grammatically correct, "which is tantamount" is typically used in nonrestrictive relative clauses to add extra information. The choice depends on whether the information is essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which is tantamount to" and "which is similar to"?

"Which is tantamount to" implies equivalence or near equality, while "which is similar to" suggests a resemblance without implying complete equality. Tantamount means having the same effect or value.