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Alternate or Alternative?
What Is the Difference between "Alternate" and "Alternative"?
The Quick Answer
Alternate
(noun or adjective) "a replacement"- The road is closed. Can you find an alternate one?
Alternative
(noun or adjective) "another option"- The road is busy. Can you find an alternative one?

- The helicopter is grounded. We need alternate transport.
- The helicopter is expensive. I suggest alternative transport.
Alternate
The word "alternate" means a replacement (i.e., something that serves in the place of something else). In this meaning, it can be used as a noun or an adjective. For example:- Our usual captain is on leave. Simon is the alternate.
- The landslide has closed the road. You must take an alternate route.
- The lights alternate between red and white.
- We will take alternate shifts.
Alternative
The word "alternative" means another option (i.e., it does not replace the original). It can be used as a noun or an adjective. For example:- Our usual captain is demanding twice as much money than expected. Simon is the alternative.
- The landslide has closed one lane of the road. I would advise taking an alternative route.
A Video Summary
Here is a 1-minute video summarizing this lesson on "alternate" and "alternative."Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.
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