Close in meaning
Alternate vs. Alternative
Alternative means another option you can choose instead. Alternate usually means every other one, or taking turns, as in alternate weekends. In American English, alternate is also widely used to mean a substitute, as in an alternate route.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| alternate | adjective | happening every other time or taking turns; in American English, also serving as a substitute |
| verb | to switch back and forth between two things | |
| alternative | noun | another option or choice that can be used instead |
| adjective | offering a different choice, or different from the usual way |
Alternate
adjective: happening every other time or taking turns; in American English, also serving as a substitute
- Leo visits his grandparents on alternate weekends.
- The highway was closed, so we took an alternate route.
verb: to switch back and forth between two things
- The workout alternates one minute of running with two minutes of walking.
- Rain alternated with bright sunshine all afternoon.
Alternative
noun: another option or choice that can be used instead
- Brown rice is a healthy alternative to white rice.
- If the train is full, the only alternative is the late bus.
adjective: offering a different choice, or different from the usual way
- The store sells alternative milks made from oats and almonds.
- The doctor suggested an alternative treatment plan.
How to remember the difference
Alternate is about turns: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, every other day. Alternative is about choices: plan A or plan B.
Good to know
Some usage guides once said alternative should only be used for exactly two choices. That rule is outdated; you can speak of several alternatives. The adjective alternate ends with a quick, unstressed sound (AWL-ter-nit), while the verb ends like late.
Spot the mistake
Is there a vegan
alternatealternative to butter for this cake?Correct: Is there a vegan alternative to butter for this cake?
The coach plays the two goalies in
alternativealternate games.Correct: The coach plays the two goalies in alternate games.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Oat milk is a popular to cow's milk.
Answer: alternative. The word names another choice that can replace something, so it is the noun alternative.
2. We meet on Tuesdays, so the next meeting is in two weeks.
Answer: alternate. The meaning is every other Tuesday, taking turns, so it is alternate.