alternate
/ˈɒl.tə.neɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːl.tɚ.neɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /US and Canadian ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-/ (ame, mw) · /ɔːlˈtɜːnət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːltərnət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈɒl.tə.nət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːl.tɝː.nət/ (ame, ipa)
alternate — verb
1. to keep switching from one thing or state to another, then back again, in a stea
to keep switching from one thing or state to another, then back again, in a steady, repeating pattern.
Renata alternated between laughing and crying as she read her grandmother's letter.
alternate between A and B
The weather alternates between heavy rain and bright sunshine in early April.
subject is a natural phenomenon
Sweet songs alternate with louder, faster numbers throughout the band's new album.
On the long drive to Taipei, Leila and her sister alternated at the wheel every two hours.
During the meeting, Priya alternated between defending her plan and asking the team for help.
文法句型
alternate between A and B
alternate with
用法筆記
Most often intransitive and followed by 'between' (with two items joined by 'and') or 'with' (one item paired with another). Distinguish from sense 2, which takes a direct object and means causing the switching.
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately arrange two items in turns, so that each takes its place again a
to deliberately arrange two items in turns, so that each takes its place again and again in a regular, repeating sequence.
The chef alternates layers of pasta with cheese sauce when she builds her lasagne.
alternate A with B for paired items
Coach Lin alternates short sprints and long jogs to keep his runners fresh.
alternate A and B for two activities
Farmers in the valley alternate corn and beans each season to protect the soil.
The director alternated funny scenes with serious ones to keep the audience awake.
- rotate
stresses cycling through three or more items
- interleave
more technical, used for layers or data
文法句型
alternate A with B
alternate A and B
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or organisation that controls the pattern. Pairs naturally with 'with' for one item plus its partner, and with 'and' for two items treated equally.
常見錯誤
alternate — adjective
1. describing two things that keep following each other in a steady pattern, so tha
describing two things that keep following each other in a steady pattern, so that one comes, then the other, then the first one returns.
The kitchen floor was laid in alternate squares of black and white tile.
alternate + plural noun (visual pattern)
Bram felt alternate waves of pride and panic as he stepped onto the stage.
alternate + abstract feelings
The flag has alternate stripes of red and white running across it.
At the funeral, Reverend Smith led the crowd through alternate prayers and hymns for an hour.
- alternating
verbal form, often interchangeable in this sense
- interchanging
formal, less common
文法句型
alternate + plural noun
用法筆記
Used before a plural noun to describe a regular A-B-A-B sequence. Distinguish from sense 2 ('every second') and sense 3 ('substitute'); only this sense describes the back-and-forth pattern itself.
常見錯誤
2. describing a day, week, or other time period that comes once and then is skipped
describing a day, week, or other time period that comes once and then is skipped before coming again — for example, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but not Tuesday or Thursday.
The yoga studio runs beginner classes on alternate Tuesdays throughout the autumn.
on alternate + day name (skip pattern)
Dr. Sven asks her patients to take the pills on alternate days, not every day.
alternate days = every second day
The two cousins share the cottage and use it on alternate weekends.
Rubbish trucks come down our street on alternate Mondays during the summer.
- every other
more informal, same meaning
- biweekly
only for two-week pattern, often ambiguous
- consecutive
describes days that follow without a gap
文法句型
on alternate + time noun
用法筆記
Almost always used with a plural time noun (days, weeks, Tuesdays). Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 needs two contrasting items, while this sense is about skipping every other one in a single series.
常見錯誤
3. describing a second plan, route, or version that is kept ready, so you can switc
describing a second plan, route, or version that is kept ready, so you can switch to it if your first choice stops working.
When the bridge closed, drivers had to take an alternate route through the hills.
alternate + route (American usage)
The committee voted for the alternate plan after the original budget was rejected.
Imani saved an alternate version of her essay in case her laptop crashed again.
The pilot was given alternate landing instructions because of the storm over Denver.
- alternative
preferred in British English for the same meaning
- backup
more informal, often a noun before another noun
- substitute
stresses replacement of one specific item
- primary
the first or main choice
文法句型
alternate + noun (plan, route, version)
用法筆記
This 'backup' meaning is mostly American. British speakers usually prefer 'alternative' here. Distinguish from sense 1 (back-and-forth) and sense 2 (every second day) — only this sense talks about a substitute.
常見錯誤
alternate — noun
1. a person who is officially chosen to step in and do someone's job, role, or duty
a person who is officially chosen to step in and do someone's job, role, or duty if that first person cannot be there.
Two jurors fell ill, so the judge called in the alternates to finish the trial.
noun: alternate as a backup person
Leila served as an alternate on the school debate team for most of the spring.
serve as an alternate
The Olympic committee named three alternates in case any swimmer was injured before the final.
Each delegate brought along an alternate who could vote when the main member stepped out.
- substitute
more general, used in sports and everyday contexts
- stand-in
informal, often for short-term replacement
- reserve
preferred in British sports contexts
文法句型
an alternate for someone
用法筆記
Mostly American English; British speakers usually say 'reserve', 'substitute', or 'stand-in'. Common in legal, sports, and committee contexts where formal backups are listed in advance.