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Vocabulary
ALTERNATE OR ALTERNATIVE?
Key
Alternate means 'one after the other, in turns'.
Alternative refers to a choice between two things.
The adverbs are alternately and alternatively.
In the USA they prefer to use alternate in both cases, while in the UK they make a clear distinction between alternate and alternative.
Alternative refers to a choice between two things.
The adverbs are alternately and alternatively.
In the USA they prefer to use alternate in both cases, while in the UK they make a clear distinction between alternate and alternative.
- alternate, alternately
The boys must take alternate turns on the computer (=one after the other).
The poker players alternately delt cards from the pack (=took turns at dealing the cards).
- alternative, alternatively
If we can't go by car, our only alternative is the train (=the other option).
Luckily, I have an alternative car if this one doesn't start.
I might eat pizza tonight, or alternatively I might eat steak.
We thank Francis Dixon-Clarke (from Sao
Paulo, Brazil) for his contribution.