What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
trivalent
Example
Aluminum is a trivalent metal. [trivalent: adjective]
Example
The trivalent flu vaccine protects against three different strains of the flu virus. [trivalent: adjective]
Example
Iron(III) oxide is a trivalent compound. [trivalent: adjective]
ternary
Example
The ternary number system uses three digits: 0, 1, and 2. [ternary: adjective]
Example
The song has a ternary structure with an ABA format. [ternary: adjective]
Example
Ammonium nitrate is a ternary compound made up of nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. [ternary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ternary is more commonly used than trivalent in everyday language. Ternary has a wider range of applications and can be used in various contexts, while trivalent is more specialized and limited to specific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between trivalent and ternary?
Both trivalent and ternary are technical terms that are more appropriate for formal or academic writing than casual conversation. However, trivalent may be considered more formal due to its association with chemistry and medicine.
