alternate vs. alternative | alternate alternative
Toalternateistotaketurns;analternativeisanoption.Whenyouwearyourcheckeredblazer,theblackandwhitesquaresalternate.Butifyourenotfeelinglikean80sguitarhero,thegreenplaidjacketisanicealternative.Alternatecanactanoun,verb,oranadjective,thatnut.Asanoun,itsasubstitute,likethealternatewhotakesoverforyouinagameorinajury: Several,includingalternates,havetakennotesandkeptlistsofevidence.(WashingtonPost) Asaverbitreferstotheactofsomethinggoingbackandforth: Soitwentonallda...
To alternate is to take turns; an alternative is an option. When you wear your checkered blazer, the black and white squares alternate. But if youre not feeling like an 80s guitar hero, the green plaid jacket is a nice alternative.
Alternate can act a noun, verb, or an adjective, that nut. As a noun, its a substitute, like the alternate who takes over for you in a game or in a jury:
Several, including alternates, have taken notes and kept lists of evidence. (Washington Post)
As a verb it refers to the act of something going back and forth:
So it went on all day—heavy showers that lasted for a few minutes alternating with brief, bright intervals. (Mrs. Herbert Strang)
As an adjective, it describes two options taken in turns:
The alternate jersey will have an interlocking SD on the left chest. (Washington Post)
Alternative can be...