alternate vs alternative

[Pauline2009]

Please help explain the difference between " alternate " and " alternative" in usage, thanks a lot.

Pauline

[Alan]

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Hi Pauline,

'Alternative' suggests a substitute whereas 'alternate' suggests a variation in sequence.

If you want to book a particular room in a hotel and you find that the room is already booked, the hotel could offer you alternative accommodation.

If a shop is not open every day but say on Monday/Wednesday/Friday, you would say it was open alternate days in the week.

Alan
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[Pauline2009]

Hi, Alan

got it, but how about "alternatively" ? I'm not sure when I should use "alternative" or "alternatively", I know the obvious differenc is in Parts of Speach and "alternative" can be used as a noun, does it mean there are only 2 options when using "alternative" ? please explain with some examples (sentence). thanks.

Pauline

[Jd]

Alternatively is used when you want to offer an alternative to someone. For example, if you want to sit at a particular table in a restaurant and it's not available, the waiter may say that he has a table by the window, or, alternatively, there's a table at the back you could sit at.