Cool MateAs vs Equally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Equally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: As
| As | Equally | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əz//æz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əz//æz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈiːkwəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈiːkwəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | in the same way or manner | In the same way or to the same degree. |
| Example | They were all dressed as clowns. | Diet and exercise are **equally important**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | adverb |
| Collocations | as fast as, as good as, as long as | equally important, equally shared, equally capable, equally beneficial |
| Antonyms | unlike, dissimilar | unequally, disparately |
| Common mistakes | 'As' vs 'like': Confusing when to use in comparisons., Incorrect placement in complex sentences., Using 'as' with a noun without a proper structure. | Confused with 'equal' — use 'equally' only as an adverb., Using 'equally' to compare more than two things where 'as' might be better., Misplacing it in a sentence, making the comparison unclear. |
| Usage notes | Used for comparisons or to indicate a role. It's appropriate in formal and informal contexts. Avoid using 'as' in place of 'like' in informal speech. | Use 'equally' when comparing two or more things that are similar in some aspect. Avoid in very formal writing. |
Frequently asked questions: As vs Equally
What's the difference between As and Equally?
As: in the same way or manner Equally: In the same way or to the same degree.
Which is more common: As and Equally?
As is the most common in everyday English.
Are As and Equally the same CEFR level?
As: A1, Equally: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use As and Equally interchangeably?
Not always. As and Equally are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.