noun / adjective · neutral
alternative
UK/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/US/ɔːlˈtɝːnətɪv/al·TER·na·tive
a choice available instead of something else; (adj) serving as a substitute
Examples
“Many cities are promoting cycling as an alternative to driving.”
“We need an alternative plan if the funding falls through.”
“Alternative energy sources such as solar and wind are expanding.”
Band 8 sentence
“Faced with repeated delays, the committee proposed an alternative approach that decentralised decision-making.”
Collocations
- alternative to
- alternative solution
- seek an alternative
Word family
Common mistakes
alternative of→alternative to
alternatively (as noun)→alternative
use alternative by itself without a noun (informal)→use alternative + noun (alternative solution/route)
Say it for a higher band
5other→6choice→7+alternative
Synonyms
option
substitute
Easily confused
option
“We discussed several options before deciding on the final design.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Sublist 9
Learn it with its set