Equivalent Sentences Notes

Notes on Equivalent Sentences
1. Meaning Over Words

Equivalent sentences often express the same idea or concept as the original sentence,
even if they use different words or structures. Focus on the overall meaning rather
than specific word choices.
2. Sentence Structure
Sometimes, equivalent sentences may use a different sentence structure, but still
retain the same meaning. For example:
o Original Sentence: "I will not go to the party if it rains."
o Equivalent Sentence: "If it rains, I won’t go to the party."
The structure has changed (conditional clause placement), but the meaning remains
identical.
3. Synonyms
Many equivalent sentences use synonyms to replace words in the original sentence.
Understanding synonyms is crucial to spotting equivalent sentences.
o Original Sentence: "The child was frightened by the loud noise."
o Equivalent Sentence: "The child was scared by the loud sound."
4. Active vs. Passive Voice
Some equivalent sentences may switch between active and passive voice, but still
communicate the same idea.
o Original Sentence: "The chef prepared the meal."
o Equivalent Sentence: "The meal was prepared by the chef."
5. Cause and Effect
Pay attention to cause-and-effect relationships. A sentence that keeps the cause and
effect intact will likely be equivalent to the original.
o Original Sentence: "She studied hard, so she passed the exam."
o Equivalent Sentence: "Because she studied hard, she passed the exam."
Guidelines for Selecting Equivalent Sentences
1. Understand the Core Meaning

Before looking at the options, break down the core meaning of the original sentence.
Ask yourself:
o What is the subject doing?
o What is the result or consequence?
o Is there any condition mentioned?
o What is the overall message of the sentence?
2. Eliminate Incorrect Options
Look for options that clearly change the meaning or add unnecessary information.
These options can often be eliminated right away. For example:
o Original Sentence: "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the game."
o Option: "We will cancel the game because it rained yesterday."
→ This changes the meaning entirely (focus on past, not future), so it can be
eliminated.
1
3. Look for Changes in Tense
Watch for changes in tense that could make the sentence incorrect. If the original
sentence is in the present tense, but an option changes it to past or future, it may not
be equivalent.
o Original Sentence: "She is going to the mall today."
o Incorrect Option: "She went to the mall yesterday." (Past tense)
4. Check Conditional Statements
Sentences with conditional words like "if," "unless," "as long as," or "provided that"
require special attention. Make sure the conditions in the equivalent sentence are
exactly the same as the original.
o Original Sentence: "Unless it stops raining, we will cancel the game."
o Incorrect Option: "We will cancel the game whether or not it rains."
→ The second sentence changes the meaning from "if it rains" to "no matter
what."
5. Watch for Negative vs. Positive Statements
Be careful with changes between negative and positive expressions. Switching "not"
or other negative words can change the meaning of a sentence completely.
o Original Sentence: "He didn’t attend the meeting."
o Incorrect Option: "He attended the meeting." → The meaning is the
opposite.
6. Ignore Unimportant Details
Sometimes an equivalent sentence might drop or add minor details that don’t affect
the core meaning. For example, replacing "tomorrow" with "the next day" is usually
acceptable as long as the essential meaning is preserved.
7. Double Check for Modifiers
Modifiers like "only," "just," or "even" can subtly change the meaning of a sentence.
Pay close attention to these words to ensure that the equivalent sentence reflects the
same level of emphasis or restriction.
o Original Sentence: "Only John can solve this problem."
o Incorrect Option: "John can solve this problem."
→ The second sentence misses the exclusivity of "only John."
8. Use Context Clues
When in doubt, use the surrounding context (if available) to make sense of the
sentences. If a question seems tricky, context can help you interpret the original
sentence and its possible equivalents more accurately.
Key Tips
 Be mindful of word order, but don't assume it has to be exactly the same.
 Context is important: Consider the sentence’s context when interpreting its meaning.
 Look for slight changes in meaning, like switching from definite to indefinite ("the"
to "a"), which can make a big difference in whether the sentence is truly equivalent.
 Practice identifying key components: Subjects, actions (verbs), objects, cause-effect
relationships, and conditions should all be the same.
By focusing on these guidelines, students can improve their ability to choose the correct
equivalent sentence that best matches the original meaning.

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Notes on Equivalent Sentences

1. Meaning Over Words

Guidelines for Selecting Equivalent Sentences

1. Understand the Core Meaning

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