noun / adjective · neutral
alternative
UK/ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv/US/ɔːlˈtɝːnətɪv/al·TER·na·tive
a different option or choice; (adj) available as another possibility
Examples
“If public transport is unreliable, cycling can be a practical alternative.”
“They offered an alternative solution rather than reduce the budget.”
“Oxford offers an alternative route to the city centre during the festival.”
Band 8 sentence
“Given the increasing cost of fossil fuels, exploring renewable alternatives is essential for long-term sustainability.”
Collocations
- a viable alternative
- offer/provide an alternative
- alternative solution/method
Word family
Common mistakes
use the alternative→use an alternative
alternative solutions→alternative solutions
Say it for a higher band
5other option→6option→7+alternative
Synonyms
option
substitute
Easily confused
substitute
“We used honey as a substitute for sugar in the recipe.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Sublist 5
Learn it with its set