Did you know that it is wrong to say “All things being equal”? Many people mistakenly use this phrase. This may sound correct, but it is actually wrong.
The correct phrase is “All other things being equal.” This phrase comes from the Latin expression ceteris paribus, which means “with other things being the same” or “all other things being constant.” It is often used when explaining what could happen if everything else stays the same while only one thing changes.
For example, you might say, “All other things being equal, Arsenal will not qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.” Notice that the word “other” is important in this phrase. Saying “all things being equal” means everything is the same, including the thing you are talking about, which makes the sentence unclear.
Here is another example in a football context: “All other things being equal, Arsenal will not qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.” In this sentence, the phrase suggests that if all other conditions such as injuries, team form, and the performance of rival teams remain unchanged, then Arsenal’s current performance alone will not be enough for qualification.
The inclusion of the word “other” is very important. Without it, saying “all things being equal” implies that even the factor you are analyzing is staying the same. This makes the sentence unclear and defeats the purpose of isolating the effect of one change. In academic and formal writing, this distinction is necessary for clarity and accuracy. This phrase is usually used in Economics class.
