Search from various English teachers...
Jordi Jorge
Trade vs Swap vs Exchange vs Change (Difference)
I wonder if these verbs "trade", "swap", "exchange", and "change" mean the same in the following context and I can use them interchangeably.
Examples:
1. My friend, Victoria, is very kind and is always there with a shoulder to lean on. I wouldn't TRADE her for anything.
2. My friend, Victoria, is very kind and is always there with a shoulder to lean on. I wouldn't SWAP her for anything.
3. My friend, Victoria, is very kind and is always there with a shoulder to lean on. I wouldn't EXCHANGE her for anything.
4. My friend, Victoria, is very kind and is always there with a shoulder to lean on. I wouldn't CHANGE her for anything.
5. My laptop is so fast, so nice and so powerful. I wouldn't TRADE it for anything.
6. My laptop is so fast, so nice and so powerful. I wouldn't SWAP it for anything.
7. My laptop is so fast, so nice and so powerful. I wouldn't EXCHANGE it for anything.
8. My laptop is so fast, so nice and so powerful. I wouldn't CHANGE it for anything.
Apr 18, 2020 12:30 AM
Answers · 3
Keef and Nicole, thanks for your explanations. That helped a lot.
April 18, 2020
"To swap" is commonly used to describe an exchange of goods. There is an event called a "swap meet" where people trade their old things. To say that you would not swap a person might be considered insulting to the person being discussed, because it makes them sound like property. I think "trade" is the perfect word to use for the first sentence.
April 18, 2020
In the first 4 sentences, it is a common expression to say "I wouldn't trade him/her/it/them for anything." Using swap or exchange would sound a bit odd to a native speaker. Using "change" in that sentence would be okay, but it gives the meaning of not wanting to change her personality, rather than not wanting to trade her for someone else.
In #5-8, the sentences all would be okay, although again, "trade" would make the most sense and "change" would mean you wouldn't want to alter the laptop itself.
April 18, 2020
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Jordi Jorge
Language Skills
English, Italian, Spanish
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
11 likes · 8 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 4 Comments
More articles