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Difference between "Alternate" and "Alternative?

Difference between "alternate" and "alternative"

  • Possible Duplicate: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/35440/alternately-or-alternatively What is the difference between alternate and alternative? For example, I have two versions of the same software and I want to write one of the following: Software Name (alternate version) Software Name (alternative version)

  • Answer:

    In British English, an alternative version is one that can be considered as a possible choice, while an alternate one changes places at regular intervals with another version. However, I understand that in American English ‘alternate’ is an alternative to ‘alternative’.

Alec Smart at English Language and Usage Visit the source

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Alternate is closer in meaning to substitute or second option. (As a noun it refers to a person only. "Who's your alternate?") Alternative can be another possible choice among many. (It can also mean that the two things are mutually exclusive, like when the first thing doesn't work, you look for the alternative). That said, the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably as the meanings can overlap.

Andrew Vit

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