noun / adjective · neutral
alternative
UK/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/US/ɔlˈtɝːnətɪv/al·TER·na·tive
a different choice or option; (adj) serving as a substitute
Examples
“Faced with a funding cut, the university searched for an alternative that kept the course running.”
“Solar panels are an alternative energy source to fossil fuels.”
“Alternatively, you could submit your essay by email if the upload keeps failing.”
Band 8 sentence
“Given the environmental impact of single-use plastics, policymakers must promote viable alternatives that reduce waste without disadvantaging consumers.”
Collocations
- alternative to
- viable/feasible alternative
- consider an alternative
Word family
Common mistakes
use ‘another’ with plurals: another solutions→other solutions / alternative solutions
translate word-by-word: 'alternative method' → 'alt method' (viết tắt)→alternative method
use adverb instead of noun: 'We need alternatively solution.'→We need an alternative solution.
Say it for a higher band
5other→6option→7+alternative
Synonyms
option
substitute
Easily confused
substitute
“We used a biodegradable substitute for plastic packaging.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Sublist 3
Learn it with its set