Alternate vs. Alternative

Alternate relates to something happening in turns or a sequential pattern, while Alternative refers to a different choice or option, often in contrast to the usual or conventional one.

When to use alternate

Alternate is primarily used as an adjective or verb. It refers to something that occurs or is done in turns or succession, often in a pattern of one followed by the other and vice versa.

Examples

They decided to alternate driving duties on the long road trip.
The conference has sessions that alternate between morning and afternoon.
She uses alternate medicine practices to complement her traditional treatments.
We take alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic during rush hour.
The company offers an alternate work schedule with four-day workweeks.
The student council holds alternate meetings to accommodate everyone's schedules.
In some countries, alternate-side parking rules are enforced to facilitate street cleaning.
The dancers moved in alternate patterns, creating a mesmerizing display.
His alternate persona on stage is quite different from his everyday self.
They planned an alternate route in case the main road was closed due to construction.

When to use alternative

Alternative is typically used as an adjective or noun. It denotes a choice or option that is different from the usual or conventional one. It implies a substitute or a different way of doing things.

Example sentences

Some people prefer alternative medicine treatments like acupuncture and herbal remedies.
Solar power is considered a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
When faced with a tight budget, renting a car may be a more cost-effective alternative to buying one.
The restaurant offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
In the event of bad weather, we have an alternative indoor venue for the outdoor wedding ceremony.
She decided to pursue an alternative career path in art after years in the corporate world.
Online learning has become a popular alternative to traditional classroom education.
Electric bicycles are gaining popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to regular bikes.
The city introduced an alternative transportation program to reduce traffic congestion.
We need to explore alternative solutions to address the current environmental crisis.

How are they similar?

Relatedness:

Both words are related in meaning and often involve choices or options that differ from the usual.

Contextual Use:

In many cases, whether "alternate" or "alternative" is appropriate depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Versatility:

Both words can be used to convey variety, change, or options.

Practice Questions

I'm considering taking the alternative/alternate route to avoid the heavy traffic on the main road.
She chose an alternative/alternate approach to treating her illness, opting for natural remedies instead of medication.
In our yoga class, we often practice different alternative/alternate poses to keep things interesting.
The team decided to alternative/alternate between two project managers to ensure a balanced workload.
The store offers a variety of alternative/alternate milk options, including soy, almond, and oat.
If you don't want to eat meat, there are plenty of delicious alternative/alternate dishes to choose from on the menu.
We have an alternate/alternative plan in case the weather turns bad during our outdoor picnic.
They take alternate/alternative breaks during the long journey to share driving responsibilities.
The school introduced an alternate/alternative learning program to accommodate students who prefer online classes.
For our vacation, we're considering the alternate/alternative of either going to the mountains or relaxing at the beach.

If you still are unsure about which to use, try out Engramwhere you can submit your English sentences to get immediate feedback and suggestions based on how native English speakers write.