Words / B2

orl-TURN-uh-t/ɔːlˈtɜːnət/

Alternate as an adjective means happening in turns, one after the other: alternate Fridays, alternate layers. Every other is everyday. Alternative means a different option (an alternative plan) — not a synonym, though American English sometimes blurs them. Alternate is also a verb (alternate between home and the office). In speech, every other / take turns is enough. Wrong choice changes the meaning: alternate days are a pattern; an alternative day is a replacement.

Meaning

Happening in turns, one after the other (alternate days); not the same as alternative.

Examples

• “The class meets on alternate Fridays.”
• “We staff the desk on alternate Saturdays, so nobody loses every weekend.”
• “The recipe said to alternate slices of apple and pear, not to pick an alternative fruit and stop.”

Good to know

In turns; every other. Verb: alternate between. Contrast: alternative = a different option (not a synonym). US English sometimes blurs them.

Near in meaning

every other

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