Alternate vs Equivalent: Difference and Comparison

The two words can be employed to mean something that is practically the same or equivalent. In any case, ‘substitute’ can likewise mean something totally different, and whenever utilized instead of ‘comparable’ inaccurately could change the significance a lot.

So while the words can be equivalents, the various implications and utilisations of the words should be perceived.

Key Takeaways

1. Alternate describes two things that occur or act in turns without happening simultaneously.
2. Equivalent refers to two things with equal value, importance, or significance.
3. Using alternate methods involves switching between options while using equivalent methods means substituting one for another without altering the outcome.

Alternate vs Equivalent

The difference between alternate and equivalent is that thin lining between identical and similar. Where alternate means another option, like for jam, there is butter as an alternative to using with bread, equivalent means of the same characteristics like mango jam instead of mixed fruit jam with bread.

Alternate means a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility,

affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action or one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen.

Equivalent means if one amount or value is the equivalent of another, they are the same.

The equivalent of someone or something is a person or thing that has the same function in a different place, time, or system. You can use the equivalent to emphasize the great or severe effect of something.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Alternate	Equivalent
Meaning	Alternate means a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things.	Equivalent means if one amount or value is the equivalent of another, they are the same.
Nature	it gives options whether equal or not.	it is all about equal options whether in quantity or in quality.
Antonym	Complementary	Unequivalent
Synonym	substitute	Similar
Example	butter can be an alternate for the jam to be eaten along with bread.	a fruit jam such as mango jam, strawberry jam, pineapples jam, or a mixed fruit jam can be an equivalent substitute to each other.

What is Alternate?

Alternate’ can be a modifier, a transitive action word, or a thing. At the point when it is utilized as a modifier, it implies something that is happening in or shaping a rehashed series, or all in all, something that occurs or is there all other times.

Once it is one way, however, it isn’t the following time, yet occurs, or is there the accompanying time? For instance: She chips away at alternate days, so she is just in the workplace on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

‘Alternate’ as a modifier can likewise have the significance of something being other than the standard thing. In this sense, it is utilized to mean a worthy replacement.

For instance: Because the street was shut down, we needed to take an alternate course home.

At the point when ‘alternate’ is utilized as an action word, it intends to put or do various things so one follows the other in a rehashed series or to alternate at accomplishing something.

For instance: Please alternate sides when you line the boat, so column on the right side, then, at that point, the left, and after that, back on the right side.

At long last, when ‘alternate’ is utilized as a thing, it implies someone or something that is picked to have another’s spot if that individual or thing isn’t there or ready to be utilized.

For instance: He is the alternate for the work if the principal individual doesn’t acknowledge it.

What is Equivalent?

‘Equivalent’ can be utilized as a modifier. It implies having a similar worth, or use, which means sum or power.

For instance: Use an equivalent measure of soil in each pot. It additionally assumes the possibility of the equivalent or practically indistinguishable basically or capacity.

Along these lines, if ‘equivalent’ is utilized as a descriptor for a replacement of something, it is similarly on a par with the first.

For instance: The equivalent of ‘hi’ in Spanish is ‘hola’. Like ‘alternate’, ‘equivalent’ can moreover be utilized as a thing to mean something that is something similar, equivalent or comparing, or is an adequate replacement.

For instance: Use milk or a non-dairy equivalent in the formula. Alternate’ as a modifier or a thing, yet just when it implies something that is utilized instead of the standard thing, it can be utilized as an equivalent to ‘equivalent’.

Since ‘alternate’ has a lot more extensive use and which means when alluding to something that is equivalent or is something very similar in actuality, way, or use, ‘equivalent’ is, for the most part, a superior word to utilize, on the grounds that it just has that importance.

In like manner use, ‘alternate’ is, for the most part, a less best replacement or a subsequent option, while ‘equivalent’ might be utilized to show something is the same or similar as ideal as the first.

Main Difference Between Alternate and Equivalent

1. By alternate means to give options, whereas equivalent means to give equal substitutes or options.
2. The nature of alternate is to only and only give numerous options for the substitution, whereas for equivalent, the attribute is to give equalising supports.
3. Alternate can have an effect of things being replaced with having an effect on the functionality, whereas in equivalent, the functionality does not affect.
4. Alternate can give both happy as well as sad results whereas equivalent in most of the cases may have a satisfactory result.
5. An alternative to a pen can be a pencil as the work remains the same, that is to write in normal circumstances, but in circumstances like exams there, only a pen is required for appearing in that exam and not a pencil, there the substitute has to be equivalent to the pen that is a person can use a cello pen or a Natraj pen, etc. So hear the difference is that while a pen can be substituted by a pencil just for the sake of writing, one thing that cannot be overlooked is that both of them have different attributes and characteristics, which is why they alternate with each other, whereas when two different companies have manufactured the same product that is a pen in this example they might have different body structures different kind of ink and maybe a different tip to write but deep down the characteristics of the product remains the same that is what equivalent signifies for.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1991.tb01903.x
2. https://academic.oup.com/acn/article-abstract/5/4/405/5526

Last Updated : 28 July, 2023