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Prepositions after adjectives

Equal to, in, of, with or before?

Equal is most commonly followed by to. Other prepositions may appear in specific structures, but they usually have different meanings.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows equal?

Use equal to to compare value, size, ability, or status. Equal in refers to the aspect in which things are equal. Equal with is uncommon in modern English, and equal of or equal before are generally not standard adjective patterns.

Two plus two is equal to four.
The candidates are equal in experience.
The company treats all employees equally.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
equal to + noun

Comparing value, amount, or status

Use to after equal for direct comparisons.

His salary is equal to mine.
The result was equal to our expectations.
2
equal to + task

Showing ability or suitability

Equal to can describe being capable of handling something.

She is equal to the challenge.
I do not feel equal to the job today.
3
equal in + quality

Stating the area of similarity

Use in to specify the respect or quality that is the same.

The two products are equal in price.
They are equal in importance.
4
equal with + person

Comparing alongside someone

With is uncommon after equal in modern English and often sounds formal or old-fashioned.

He believed himself equal with his rivals.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
equal to
Her skills are equal to the task.
Standard pattern for comparison or ability.
equal in
The rooms are equal in size.
In introduces the specific quality being compared.
equal of
The phrase equal of is not standard English.
Use equal to instead.
equal with
He considered himself equal with the others.
Possible but uncommon and formal in modern English.
equal before
All citizens are equal before the law.
Fixed legal expression, not a general adjective pattern.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of instead of to

Equal normally takes to for comparisons.

✕ This amount is equal of last year's figure. ✓ This amount is equal to last year's figure.

Confusing equal to and equal in

Use equal to for direct comparison and equal in for the aspect of similarity.

✕ The boxes are equal to size. ✓ The boxes are equal in size.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Her experience is equal ___ his.
2. The twins are equal ___ height.
3. Which expression is standard in legal English?

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition after equal?

To is the standard choice for comparisons and ability.

When do we use equal in?

Use equal in to mention the quality or area that is the same, such as equal in size.

Is equal with correct?

It exists but sounds formal or old-fashioned in modern English. Equal to is usually preferred.

eager-for-to-in-about, on "early in", "early on" or "early for"? earnest in, with, on, for or at? easy for, on, in, to or with? "economical with" or "economical in"? "ecstatic about" or "ecstatic with"? "effective in", "effective at" or "effective for"? "efficient in" or "efficient at"? elderly in, with, at, of or as? elegant in, with, of, as or to? eligible for, to, in or under? "embarrassed by" or "embarrassed about"?

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