student asking question

Isn't "equal" an adjective"? Is "his equal" grammatically right?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

You are correct, "equal" is an adjective. However, it can also be used as a noun, to mean a person or object is considered to be the equivalent or peer of something else. In other words, it means that no one is superior or inferior in status or quality to the other. "His equal" here means that the other is a peer of the same status. Ex: My mother and father are equals. They believe in a balanced marriage. Ex: The rookie set a new world record. He could be considered the equal of the tennis greats.

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