adverb / discourse marker · neutral
alternatively
UK/ɔːlˈtɜːn.ə.tɪv.li/US/ɔːlˈtɜːr.nə.tɪv.li/al·TER·na·tive·ly
used to introduce another option or possibility
Examples
“We could drive to the coast. Alternatively, we could take the train.”
“Cook the pasta first; alternatively, use pre-cooked noodles to save time.”
“You can pay in cash. Alternatively, pay by card at the counter.”
Band 8 sentence
“The committee could fund the pilot project; alternatively, it might commission external research to test the idea first.”
Collocations
- Alternatively, + clause
- use X; alternatively, use Y
Word family
Common mistakes
Alternatively we can go, or we can stay.→Alternatively, we can go.
We could go by car alternatively.→We could go by car. Alternatively, we could take the bus.
Say it for a higher band
5or→6instead→7+alternatively
Synonyms
or
instead
Easily confused
instead
“I won't go to the cinema; instead, I'll stay home.”
Related words
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In Contrast
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