Confusable pair · C1
Alternate or alternative?
Alternate means every other one, or taking turns: alternate Tuesdays, they alternate between the two. Alternative means a different option you could choose instead: an alternative route. American English increasingly uses alternate for both, but in British English the distinction still holds.
Which word, and why
- alternate
every other one, or taking turns
Occurring in turn, or every second one.
on alternate days · alternate between the two · alternate rows
- alternative
a different option you could pick instead
Available as another possibility.
an alternative route · no alternative but to · alternative medicine
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The market is held on Saturdays, so the next one is in a fortnight.
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