Equal vs Equivalent: Finer differences in meaning and usage?
What would be the subtler differences & similarities?
Examples & scenarios where:
- Only one can be used
- Both can be used
- One is more apt
- Changing one with the other changes the meaning / specificity of meaning
Best Answer
"Equal" and "equivalent" are equivalent, but they're not equal. :-)
They have similar, but not identical meanings. Equal means the same thing, but equivalent means that one can frequently be substituted for the other.