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“alternative”
alternate, alternate, alternate, alternative
alternate (AWL tur nayt) (verb)
Occurring by turns; succeeding each other, take turns, change: Tyrone and his sister alternate washing the supper dishes.
alternate (AWL tur nit) (adjective)
One and then the other; every other, successive: Each of the two druggists works on alternate Sundays.
The awning had alternate red and white stripes.
alternate (AWL tur nit) (noun)
Standby, backup, understudy: Karl attended the political convention not as a delegate but as an alternate.
alternative (awl TUR nuh tiv) (noun)
A choice between two or among more than two things; something remaining to be chosen; an option: Is there an alternative to going to the party tonight?
If Vernon wants to get to Los Angeles by tonight, he has no alternative but to go by plane.
The two words have quite separate and distinct meanings: alternate implies the taking of turns, while alternative implies a choice.
Let's not blow alternately hot and cold on this; the alternative to holding the line is fuzziness of meanings.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group A; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc.
(page 5)
alternative (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Existing outside traditional or established institutions or systems: The new family lived an alternative lifestyle that the neighbors thought was strange.
2. Suggesting or reflecting values that are different from those of a social establishment or mainstream: There was an alternativenewspaper that reported all kinds of misbehavior by public officials, movie and other entertainment personalities, and even some religious leaders.
2. Suggesting or reflecting values that are different from those of a social establishment or mainstream: There was an alternativenewspaper that reported all kinds of misbehavior by public officials, movie and other entertainment personalities, and even some religious leaders.
The allowance or necessity of a choice between two or more things; considering another possibility: Jane's parents were unable to pay for her college fees; so, she had no alternative but to find a part-time job.
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If Mark wants to get to Los Angeles by tonight, he has no alternative but to go by plane.
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so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
Word Entries containing the term:
“alternative”
alternative choice
This entry is located in the following unit:
Pleonasms or Tautological Redundancies
(page 2)
A fuel other than gasoline for powering motor vehicles: Examples of alternative fuels include natural gas, methanol, or electricity.
plebian, an alternative spelling of plebeian
1. Belonging to, or pertaining to, the common people.
2. A reference to, or belonging to, the ancient Roman plebs.
3. Common, commonplace, or vulgar; such as, a plebian or a plebeian joke.
2. A reference to, or belonging to, the ancient Roman plebs.
3. Common, commonplace, or vulgar; such as, a plebian or a plebeian joke.