equivalence
C1Formal, Technical, Academic
Definition
Meaning
The state of being equal or essentially the same in value, function, meaning, or effect.
In mathematics and logic: a relationship between two statements where each implies the other. In chemistry: the principle of equal reacting proportions. In translation studies: the degree of correspondence between a source and target text.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Suggests a relationship of correspondence or mutual substitutability rather than absolute identity. Often implies a relationship defined within a specific system or context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. No significant dialectal variation in meaning or application.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in academic contexts in both varieties; no notable regional frequency difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
equivalence between X and Yequivalence of X (to Y)in equivalence with XVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “moral equivalence (often used in political rhetoric)”
- “false equivalence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contracts and negotiations to discuss equivalent value or interchangeable terms, e.g., 'currency equivalence'.
Academic
Central in mathematics (equivalence relations), logic, translation theory, and chemistry.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used in discussions comparing things, e.g., 'There's no equivalence between those two situations.'
Technical
Precise term in fields like mathematics, formal logic, chemistry (equivalence point), and translation studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The two formulas can be shown to be equivalent.
- The consultant equated the two approaches, claiming their equivalence.
American English
- The software licenses are considered equivalent in value.
- Researchers sought to find a treatment equivalent in efficacy.
adverb
British English
- The two drugs performed equivalently in the trial.
- The salaries were treated equivalently for tax purposes.
American English
- The systems function equivalently despite different designs.
- The points were distributed equivalently among all teams.
adjective
British English
- The committee discussed an equivalent sum of money.
- They offered an equivalent qualification from a different board.
American English
- She was given an equivalent role in the new department.
- We need to find an equivalent material that's less costly.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some people see an equivalence between the two political parties.
- The translator aimed for equivalence in meaning, not a word-for-word copy.
- The treaty established the equivalence of the two professional qualifications across borders.
- In mathematics, an equivalence relation must be reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
- The philosopher argued against a simple moral equivalence between the two historical regimes.
- The chemist carefully calculated the equivalence point during the titration.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'equal' inside 'equivalence'. It's about the 'valence' or value of things being equal.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCALES (two things balancing each other out), MAP (a point on one map corresponds to a point on another).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'равенство' (equality, often more about rights/status). 'Equivalence' is better translated as 'эквивалентность' or 'равнозначность', focusing on functional or value-based correspondence.
- Do not use 'равносильность' for logical equivalence; use 'логическая эквивалентность'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'equivalence' to mean simple similarity without the implication of equal value/function. Confusing 'equivalence' (noun) with 'equivalent' (adjective/noun). Incorrect preposition: 'equivalence of' and 'equivalence between' are correct; 'equivalence with' is less common.
Practice
Quiz
In formal logic, what does 'equivalence' between two statements mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Equality' often implies identicalness in quantity, status, or rights (e.g., gender equality). 'Equivalence' emphasizes having equal value, function, or meaning within a specific context, allowing for difference in form (e.g., different words can be equivalent in meaning).
It is a relation on a set that is reflexive (every element is related to itself), symmetric (if A is related to B, then B is related to A), and transitive (if A is related to B and B is related to C, then A is related to C). It groups elements into equivalence classes.
No, 'equivalence' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'equate' or 'to be equivalent'. The adjective is 'equivalent' and the adverb is 'equivalently'.
It is a logical fallacy where two things are presented as equivalent or comparable when they are fundamentally different in important respects, often to misleadingly dismiss an argument or draw an invalid conclusion.