Confusables Entry 42 / 1011 60-second read

Alternate vs. Alternative

Switching back and forth versus a different choice.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

We need an alternate plan for the deployment.

✓ Correct

We need an alternative plan for the deployment.

More examplesii

01

Is there an alternate to using Kubernetes?

Is there an alternative to using Kubernetes?

02

He works on alternative Saturdays.

He works on alternate Saturdays.

The ruleiii

ALTERNATE = to occur in turn repeatedly (verb) or every other one (adj).

In US English, 'alternate' is often used as a synonym for 'alternative', but in formal or technical writing, 'alternative' refers to a backup option.

Memory aidiv

Remember it like this

Alternate = Every other. Alternative = Choice.

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