alternate 輪流交替 — 中文意思、英文定義、例句

1.動詞不及物C1

釋義

輪流交替

在兩種狀態或動作間反覆切換

to keep switching from one thing or state to another, then back again, in a steady, repeating pattern.

例句

Renata alternated between laughing and crying as she read her grandmother's letter.

讀著奶奶的信，瑪雅一下笑、一下哭，情緒交替。

alternate between A and B

The weather alternates between heavy rain and bright sunshine in early April.

四月初的天氣大雨和晴天交替出現。

subject is a natural phenomenon

同義詞

fluctuate
stresses change in level or amount, not paired items
oscillate
more formal, often for opinions or emotions
swing
informal, suggests larger or sudden shifts

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

❌The lights alternated red to green.

✅The lights alternated between red and green.

💡use 'between … and …', not 'from … to …', for the back-and-forth pattern.

2.動詞及物C1

釋義

輪番安排

刻意把兩件事交替安排出現

to deliberately arrange two items in turns, so that each takes its place again and again in a regular, repeating sequence.

例句

The chef alternates layers of pasta with cheese sauce when she builds her lasagne.

做千層麵時，主廚會把麵皮和起司醬交錯一層層疊上去。

alternate A with B for paired items

Coach Lin alternates short sprints and long jogs to keep his runners fresh.

林教練讓選手交替進行短跑和長跑，以保持體力。

alternate A and B for two activities

同義詞

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

❌She alternates her medicine every two days.

✅She alternates her medicine with vitamins every two days.

💡the transitive sense needs both items, not just one.

1.形容詞B2

釋義

交替的

兩物以一前一後的規律出現

describing two things that keep following each other in a steady pattern, so that one comes, then the other, then the first one returns.

例句

The kitchen floor was laid in alternate squares of black and white tile.

廚房地板鋪著黑白相間、交替排列的方磚。

alternate + plural noun (visual pattern)

Bram felt alternate waves of pride and panic as he stepped onto the stage.

馬可斯走上舞台時，內心交替湧起驕傲和慌張。

alternate + abstract feelings

同義詞

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

❌The book has alternate chapter of poems and stories.

✅The book has alternate chapters of poems and stories.

💡the noun must be plural for the pattern reading.

2.形容詞C1

釋義

每隔一個的

隔一天、一週才出現一次

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.

例句

The yoga studio runs beginner classes on alternate Tuesdays throughout the autumn.

整個秋天裡，瑜伽教室每隔一個禮拜二開一次初學者班。

on alternate + day name (skip pattern)

Dr. Sven asks her patients to take the pills on alternate days, not every day.

田中醫師要求病人每隔一天才吃一次藥，不要天天吃。

alternate days = every second day

同義詞

every other
more informal, same meaning
biweekly
only for two-week pattern, often ambiguous

反義詞

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

❌I see my coach on alternate day.

✅I see my coach on alternate days.

💡the time noun must be plural.

❌She works alternate days a week.

✅She works on alternate days.

💡pair with 'on', not 'a week'.

3.形容詞B2

釋義

備用的

在原方案不能用時改用的另一個

describing a second plan, route, or version that is kept ready, so you can switch to it if your first choice stops working.

例句

When the bridge closed, drivers had to take an alternate route through the hills.

橋封閉後，駕駛只能改走山裡的備用路線。

alternate + route (American usage)

The committee voted for the alternate plan after the original budget was rejected.

原本的預算被否決後，委員會投票通過了備用方案。

同義詞

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

反義詞

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

❌In Britain, please take the alternate route.

✅In Britain, please take the alternative route.

💡British English keeps 'alternate' for back-and-forth and uses 'alternative' for backup options.

alternate

alternate — 動詞

1. to keep switching from one thing or state to another, then back again, in a stea

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. to deliberately arrange two items in turns, so that each takes its place again a

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

alternate — 形容詞

1. describing two things that keep following each other in a steady pattern, so tha

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. describing a day, week, or other time period that comes once and then is skipped

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

3. describing a second plan, route, or version that is kept ready, so you can switc

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

alternate — 名詞

1. a person who is officially chosen to step in and do someone's job, role, or duty

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤