Equivalent vs She had those same marks

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Equivalent

FormalTop 2,000 (common)B2noun

She had those same marks

Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: EquivalentMost common: Equivalent
 EquivalentShe had those same marks
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/"]/🇬🇧 //ʃiː həd ðəʊz seɪm mɑːks//🇺🇸 //ʃi hæd ðoʊz seɪm mɑrks//
MeaningSomething that is the same as something else.She had the same patterns or signs.
ExampleIn mathematics, two fractions can be equivalent if they represent the same value.She had those same marks from last year’s exam.
RegisterFormalNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsdirect, exact, approximate, be, be considered, represent, equivalent for, equivalent in, equivalent ofsame feeling, same style, same colors, same pattern, same score
Antonymsdifferent, unequal, dissimilar-
Common mistakesConfused with 'equal' when discussing non-quantitative aspects., Using it without the necessary prepositions (e.g., forgetting 'to')., Overusing it when 'similar' would be more appropriate.Mixing up 'same' with 'different'., Confusing 'marks' with 'marksmen'.
Usage notesUse 'equivalent' in formal contexts such as academic writing or discussions. Avoid in casual conversations. It often compares values, functions, or items.Use this phrase when referring to identical features or signs in different objects. It's generally informal and can vary in context.

See it in real clips

She had those same marks

Frequently asked questions: Equivalent vs She had those same marks

What's the difference between Equivalent and She had those same marks?

Equivalent: Something that is the same as something else. She had those same marks: She had the same patterns or signs.

Which is more formal: Equivalent and She had those same marks?

Equivalent is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Equivalent and She had those same marks?

Equivalent is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Equivalent: In mathematics, two fractions can be equivalent if they represent the same value. She had those same marks: She had those same marks from last year’s exam.

Can I use Equivalent and She had those same marks interchangeably?

Not always. Equivalent and She had those same marks are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons