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Alternate vs Alternative

Definitions​

  • ‘Alternate’ (adj) means ‘every other’ (e.g. alternate days) or ‘each thing following or succeeded by the other in a regular pattern’.
  • ‘Alternative’ (adj) means ‘available as another possibility or choice’ or ‘different from traditional norms’.

What’s the difference between ‘alternate’ and ‘alternative’?​

As only their suffix differs, it can be easy to confuse these words. But they do mean different things, as defined above.

  • What makes these words more challenging is that ‘alternate’ also works as a verb (meaning ‘follow something else in a regular pattern’) and a noun (meaning ‘substitute’).
  • ‘Alternative’ also works as a noun, meaning ‘the other possibility or choice’.
  • Some people argue that the words can be used interchangeably in US English. But for the sake of clarity, it might be better to stick to the above distinction.

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘alternate’

  • The tool selects alternate bidirectional paths at one time.
  • We tested the occurrence of alternate bars in three model runs.

Example sentences with ‘alternative’

  • The use of alternative medical therapies has become widespread.
  • We provide an analysis of alternative approaches to evaluation.