alternate vs alternative :

alternate or alternative

Although UK authorities disapprove, in US usage, “alternate” is frequently an adjective, substituted for the older “alternative”: “an alternate route.” “Alternate” can also be a noun; a substitute delegate is, for instance, called an “alternate.” But when you’re speaking of “every other” as in “our club meets on alternate Tuesdays,” you can’t substitute “alternative.”

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Definitions
  alternate
  • n  someone who takes the place of another person
  • v  go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
  • v  exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
  • v  be an understudy or alternate for a role
  • v  reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
  • v  do something in turns
  • s  every second one of a series
    the cleaning lady comes on alternate Wednesdays
  • s  serving or used in place of another
  • s  occurring by turns; first one and then the other
  • a  of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired
    stems with alternate leaves
  alternative
  • n  one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
    there no other alternative
  • s  serving or used in place of another
    an alternative plan
  • s  necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities
    alternative possibilities were neutrality or war
  • s  pertaining to unconventional choices
    an alternative life style
News & Articles
  alternate
  • Ex-BioWare writer reveals alternate endings to Mass Effect trilogy
    Potential Spoiler Warning Mass Effect fans! Toronto's AM640 did a radio interview recently with former BioWare scribe Drew Karpyshyn, in which he chatted about some of the alternate story theories and endings that BioWare tossed around for the Mass Effect series. Eurogamer has the highlights , including the theory that the Reapers were trying to stop organic life because they were somehow making ...
    June 20, 2013 - Joystiq
  • Lessons from an in-progress alternate reality game
    Most ARGs are marketing exercises -- but can you build one players will pay for? How do you design an alternate reality game, anyway? This post dives deep into an in-progress project. ...
    June 20, 2013 - Gamasutra
  • Paving begins on alternate route to US 89 in Arizona
    Paving has begun on an alternate route to a buckled highway in northern Arizona. That will help motorists affected by the U.S. 89 landslide closure south of Page. A 150-foot section of pavement on the
    June 18, 2013 - CBS 5 Phoenix
  alternative
  • Downing students discuss alternative energy
    As the country continues to explore alternative sources of energy, a group of sixth-graders at Downing Middle School has joined in the search.
    June 16, 2013 - Flower Mound Leader
  • Alternative Fueled Vehicle Roadshow stops in Augusta
    Georgia's Alternative Fueled Vehicle Roadshow stopped in Augusta on Friday to share the newest technology available for vehicles powered by propane, natural gas and electricity.
    June 14, 2013 - The Augusta Chronicle
  • Alternative Investments: Unique Assets, Advanced Strategies, Inherent Risks
    By Hal M. Bundrick With the stock and bond markets in choppy waters, investors have been searching for life boats: an investment with an income component and upside potential. Alternative mutual funds -- or "alt" funds -- have been touted as just such a solution. These funds allow exposure to global real estate, commodities, leveraged loans, unlisted securities and other non-traditional assets ...
    June 12, 2013 - TheStreet.com