What is Alternate?
Alternate has a wide range of applications. Alternate comes from the Latin word ‘altern’, which means “to change.” It was first used around 1505-15. It can function as a noun, a transitive verb, and even an adjective. When used as an adjective, it refers to a choice between two or more options. As a synonym for equivalent, alternate might be used.
The term alternate refers to something that is used instead of the conventional. One that substitutes for the other is an alternate. Simple examples for alternate are, we took an alternate road to get to our destination faster.
When alternate is used as a verb without an object, it can refer to something that alternates with one another regularly in place or time. When it’s used with an object, though, it can imply that it’s interchanging regularly and doing things one after the other. For example, he alternates between using a pencil and a pen while drawing.
When the ‘alternate’ is an adjective, it denotes anything that occurs or exists regularly. Eg:- she goes to the library on alternate days, i.e Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Learning about the usage of alternate is very simple.
What is Equivalent?
An equivalent is an adjective that describes something of equivalent value, utility, or power. The equivalent can be a good substitute. Equivalent means almost equal. The equivalent can be used in place of another and will perform as well as the original.
The equivalent can be used as a noun as well. When used as a noun, it can refer to something that is similar and suitable as a substitute. For example, I couldn’t obtain the ice cream I wanted, so I brought something equivalent. We can use equivalent as an adjective in a sentence like she has an equivalent job. Equivalent numbers of molecules are also employed in chemistry when chemical combining capabilities are the same and they react chemically.
In mathematics, equivalent equations and equivalent sets are also utilised. Identical, equal, and same are synonyms of Equivalent. Equivalent also refers to something that is similar in size, shape, and function. In general, you can claim two things are equivalent; if they are fundamentally the same.
Difference Between Alternate and Equivalent
- As a substitute, alternate provides various possibilities, however equivalent must have identical features and attributes to the original.
- While substituting, alternate may have an influence on functionality, however, functionality will not be affected in equivalent.
- Alternate can have both joyful and unhappy outcomes, whereas equivalent will always produce satisfying outcomes.
- Alternate always provides a large number of options since we can choose between several possibilities, however, equivalent does not provide a large number of options because we are looking for something with similar features.
- A good example for alternate is, A pen can be used as an alternate for a pencil, however, a cello pen or other sort of pen can be used as an equivalent to pen.
Comparison Between Alternate and Equivalent
| Parameters of Comparison | Alternate | Equivalent |
| Definition | A person or item functioning as a substitute, or anything that happens every other day or second, is referred to as an alternate. | Equivalent means the same in terms of amount, value, function, and meaning. It also refers to a person or item that is the same in terms of value, amount, and meaning as another. |
| Antonym | Complementary is the antonym. | The antonyms are different and dissimilar. |
| Synonym | The synonyms are substitute, replacement, and alternative. | The synonyms of equivalent are equal, similar and identical. |
| Nature | There may be a variety of options and possibilities, which may or may not be equal. | In terms of quantity or quality, there should be an equal number of possibilities. |
| Example | Pencil can be used as an alternate for a pen. | Mango jam and other types of jam can be equivalent to each other. |