ewe equivalent
B2Formal, academic, business, technical
Definition
Meaning
equal in value, amount, function, meaning, or effect
Something that corresponds to or is comparable with another thing; a counterpart.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highlights functional or abstract parity rather than physical similarity. Often used in comparative or explanatory contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slight preference for 'the equivalent of' (BrE) vs 'the equivalent to' (AmE) in some comparative constructions, though both are standard.
Connotations
Connotes precision, comparability, and formal assessment.
Frequency
Equally frequent and used in identical registers in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[noun] + BE + equivalent + to/of + [noun phrase][noun] + HAVE + no + equivalent + inthe + equivalent + ofbe + roughly/broadly + equivalentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “moral equivalent of war”
- “be the equivalent of (doing something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for comparing costs, salaries, currencies, or market values (e.g., 'the euro equivalent of the invoice').
Academic
Common in mathematics, science, and social sciences to denote equality or comparability in function or result.
Everyday
Used to explain unfamiliar things by comparing them to familiar ones (e.g., 'What's the Italian equivalent of this ingredient?').
Technical
Precise use in chemistry (equivalent weight), physics (mechanical equivalent of heat), and computing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There is no direct British equivalent for the American "sophomore" year.
American English
- The salary is the equivalent of about $85,000 a year.
adjective
British English
- A tonne is roughly equivalent to 1,000 kilograms.
American English
- The test score was equivalent to a B grade.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word has no equivalent in my language.
- Ten pounds is equivalent to about twelve euros.
- The qualification is equivalent to a university degree.
- What is the equivalent price in dollars?
- The two chemical compounds are functionally equivalent but have different structures.
- He argued that the policy was the moral equivalent of surrender.
- The tribunal found the legal protections in the new system were not equivalent to those they replaced.
- In terms of purchasing power, the salaries are roughly equivalent across the two regions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'equal value' in 'EQUIVALENT'. Both start with 'equ'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EQUIVALENCE IS BALANCE / EQUIVALENCE IS INTERCHANGEABILITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'эквивалент' for simple, concrete similarity; reserve for functional/value equality. 'Аналог' or 'соответствие' are sometimes closer in casual speech.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'equivalent' as a verb (e.g., 'This equivalates to...' is incorrect). Confusing 'equivalent to' and 'equivalent of' (both are acceptable). Overusing in place of simpler 'like' or 'same as'.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The British A-level is broadly equivalent to the American high school diploma,' what does 'equivalent' primarily express?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct and often interchangeable. 'Equivalent to' is slightly more common when describing a state (This is equivalent to that). 'Equivalent of' is common when naming the counterpart (the British equivalent of the FDA).
No. 'Equivalent' is only a noun or adjective. The related verb is 'to equate' or 'to be equivalent to'.
'Equal' often implies exact sameness in quantity or measure (equal weights). 'Equivalent' implies equal in value, function, or meaning, but not necessarily identical in form (different currencies can be equivalent).
It is a standard adverb (meaning 'in an equivalent manner') but is less common and more formal than the adjective. It's mostly used in academic or technical writing.