Cool MateEquality vs There is no distinction
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Equality
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
There is no distinction
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: There is no distinctionMost common: Equality
| Equality | There is no distinction | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/iˈkwɒləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/iˈkwɑːləti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeər ɪz nəʊ dɪsˈtɪŋkʃən//🇺🇸 //ðɛr ɪz noʊ dɪsˈtɪŋkʃən// |
| Meaning | The state of being the same in rights, status, or opportunities. | There is no difference. |
| Example | The principle of equality is fundamental to human rights. | In this situation, there is no distinction between fact and opinion. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | complete, full, perfect, have, achieve, demand, equality before the law, equality of opportunity, equality between, equality for, equality in | make a distinction, no significant distinction, there is a clear distinction, draw a distinction, recognize a distinction |
| Antonyms | inequality, disparity | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'equity' which refers to fairness in treatment, not just sameness., Using it as a verb; 'equality' is a noun., Mispronouncing it as 'eqwality' instead of 'ih-kwol-i-tee'. | Confusing with 'there is a distinction' which means differences exist., Using in casual situations where a simpler phrase would suffice., Misplacing the phrase in a sentence causing confusion about what is being compared. |
| Usage notes | Used in discussions about social justice and rights; appropriate in academic and formal settings, but may be less common in casual conversation. | Used in formal writing or discussions to indicate that two items or ideas are the same in nature or quality. |
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Frequently asked questions: Equality vs There is no distinction
What's the difference between Equality and There is no distinction?
Equality: The state of being the same in rights, status, or opportunities. There is no distinction: There is no difference.
Which is more formal: Equality and There is no distinction?
There is no distinction is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Equality and There is no distinction?
Equality is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Equality: The principle of equality is fundamental to human rights. There is no distinction: In this situation, there is no distinction between fact and opinion.
Can I use Equality and There is no distinction interchangeably?
Not always. Equality and There is no distinction 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.