alternate
gb/ˈɔltɚnɪt/ us/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
B1
Inglés
~ 5200
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
B2
action
1
to switch between two things
To change from one thing to another again and again, usually in a regular way.
Patrón de uso:
[someone/something] alternates between [A] and [B]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"I alternate to watching TV"* instead of *"I alternate between reading and watching TV"*. Use "alternate between A and B" or "alternate A and B", not "alternate to".
Sinónimos
switch (More informal and general; not always about a repeated, regular pattern.)
|
rotate (Often used for people taking turns or things changing in a fixed order.)
Antónimos
continue (Suggests staying with the same thing without changing back and forth.)
|
remain (Emphasizes not changing from the current state.)
Colocaciones
alternate between
|alternate with
|alternate A and B
|alternate rapidly
|alternate regularly
Temas
daily life
|time
|habits
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- During the workout, we alternate between running and walking every five minutes.
- The weather alternated between sunshine and heavy rain all afternoon.
- You should alternate study periods with short breaks to stay focused.
- The teacher alternated group work and individual tasks throughout the lesson.
- They alternate the night shifts so no one works late every day.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I alternate between tea and coffee in the morning.
- The lights alternate between red and blue.
- We alternate work and rest every hour.
- She alternates between feeling happy and feeling sad.
- The two players alternate serving the ball.
adjective
B1
property
2
every second in a sequence
Happening every other time or place, with one different thing between each.
Patrón de uso:
on alternate [days/weeks/rows/etc.]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse "alternate" with "alternative". "Alternate days" means days that come every second day (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday), not "different" or "additional" days. Also, it is natural to say "on alternate days", not *"in alternate days"*.
Sinónimos
every other (Very common in everyday speech; almost the same meaning but used mainly for time periods, not physical positions.)
Antónimos
consecutive (Means happening one after another without a break, the opposite of having a gap between occurrences.)
Colocaciones
on alternate days
|on alternate weekends
|alternate rows
|alternate stripes
|alternate weeks
|alternate layers
Temas
time
|schedules
|patterns
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I go to the gym on alternate days so my muscles can rest.
- We visit my parents on alternate weekends.
- Plant the flowers in alternate rows of red and white.
- He works alternate night shifts and day shifts.
- The cake had alternate layers of chocolate and vanilla.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I wash my hair on alternate days.
- They meet on alternate Saturdays.
- The wall has alternate black and white lines.
- She works alternate mornings and evenings.
- We sit in alternate seats to have more space.
adjective
B2
property
3
providing another possible option
Giving a different choice or plan when the first one is not possible or not wanted.
Patrón de uso:
an alternate [plan/route/version/etc.]
Error frecuente:
Learners often mix up "alternate" (different option) and "alternative". In modern English, "alternative" is usually preferred, especially in British English. In American English, "alternate" is more common in this sense but can still sound slightly formal or technical in some contexts.
Sinónimos
alternative (Very close in meaning; "alternative" is more common in modern English, especially in formal writing.)
Antónimos
primary (Refers to the main or first choice, as opposed to a different or backup option.)
|
standard (Describes the usual or normal option, not a different one.)
Colocaciones
alternate plan
|alternate route
|alternate solution
|alternate version
|alternate ending
|alternate scenario
Temas
planning
|travel
|problem solving
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- We need an alternate plan in case it rains during the event.
- The driver took an alternate route to avoid the traffic jam.
- The director filmed an alternate ending for the movie.
- Please suggest three alternate dates for the interview.
- They are exploring alternate energy sources to reduce pollution.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We must have an alternate plan if this one fails.
- I know an alternate way to get to the airport.
- The boss asked for an alternate solution to the problem.
- The game has an alternate version with new rules.
- She offered an alternate date for the meeting.
Sustantivo
C1
entity
4
substitute person or replacement
A person or thing that is ready to do the job of another person or thing if that one cannot do it.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is an alternate for [role/event]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "alternate" as a noun where "alternative" is needed, for example *"This is a good alternate"* when they mean *"This is a good alternative"*. As a noun meaning a person in a role, "alternate" is most common in American English.
Sinónimos
substitute (Very common; can be used more widely for people and things, and in both formal and informal contexts.)
|
backup (Informal; often used when someone is kept in reserve in case of problems.)
Antónimos
regular (Refers to the main or usual member, in contrast to a substitute or alternate.)
|
primary (Emphasizes that someone is the main choice, not a replacement.)
Colocaciones
an alternate on the team
|serve as an alternate
|designated alternate
|alternate member
|alternate juror
|first alternate
Temas
work
|sports
|organizations
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She was selected as an alternate on the Olympic team.
- If any juror becomes ill, an alternate will take their place.
- He served as an alternate member of the committee for two years.
- We need to name an alternate in case the main speaker is unavailable.
- As first alternate, you will play if any starting player is injured.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He is an alternate on the basketball team.
- We chose her as an alternate in case John cannot come.
- The judge called an alternate when a juror got sick.
- I will go as an alternate if they need me.
- Each group must choose an alternate member.
unknown
technical
B2
relation
5
geometry: alternate angles
In math, used for two angles on different sides of a line that cuts across two other lines, either inside or outside the two lines.
Patrón de uso:
alternate [interior/exterior] angles
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "alternate angles" with "adjacent angles" because they focus only on the size, not the position. "Alternate" here refers to their positions on opposite sides of the transversal.
Sinónimos
opposite (angles) (A loose description used in explanations, but not a precise technical synonym in geometry.)
Antónimos
adjacent (angles) (Describes angles that share a common side and vertex, the opposite of being separated on different sides of the transversal.)
Colocaciones
alternate interior angles
|alternate exterior angles
|corresponding and alternate angles
|properties of alternate angles
|pairs of alternate angles
Temas
science
|education
|mathematics
Ejemplos
- When the two lines are parallel, alternate interior angles are equal.
- The teacher asked the class to mark all the alternate exterior angles in the diagram.
- Understanding alternate angles helps students prove that two lines are parallel.
- In this figure, angle A and angle B are alternate interior angles.
- The properties of alternate angles are often used in geometry proofs.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- In this picture, these two are alternate interior angles.
- We learned that alternate angles are equal when lines are parallel.
- Please draw all the alternate exterior angles on the line.
- The test has a question about alternate angles.
- Our teacher showed us how to find alternate angles.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
alternate
AFI
GB/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
US/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
Sílabas y acento
al - tern - ate (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: alternate
Noun
- Base: alternate
- Plural: alternates
Verb
- Base: alternate
- 3rd Person Singular: alternates
- Present Participle: alternating
- Past: alternated
Familia de palabras
Forms
alternates
noun
alternating
verb
alternated
verb
Core family
alternative
noun B1
alternatively
adverb B2
Related words
alternately
adverb
alternation
noun
Expresiones
alternate between
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
regularly switch between two things
To change from one thing to another and back again in a regular way.
Ejemplos
- I alternate between reading and listening to music while I commute.
- The app lets you alternate between dark mode and light mode automatically.
- During the interview, he alternated between confidence and clear nervousness.
alternate plan
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt plˈæn/
fixed phrase
backup or second plan
A second plan you can use if your first plan fails.
Ejemplos
- We need an alternate plan in case the venue is not available.
- Our alternate plan is to hold the meeting online.
alternate reality
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹiˈæləti/
fixed phrase
different possible world
A different world that is imagined or possible, not the real world we live in.
Ejemplos
- The movie is set in an alternate reality where history took a different path.
- Science fiction often explores alternate realities and timelines.
alternate route
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
different way to travel
A different way to go to a place if the normal way is not good.
Ejemplos
- The GPS suggested an alternate route to avoid the crash on the highway.
- We took an alternate route because the main road was flooded.
alternate universe
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt jˈunəvˌɚs/
fixed phrase
parallel or different universe
A different universe that exists at the same time as ours in stories or theories.
Ejemplos
- In this comic, the hero meets another version of himself from an alternate universe.
- Some stories imagine alternate universes where one small choice changed everything.
alternate with
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
happen in turn with something
To happen one after another with another thing, like a pattern.
Ejemplos
- Periods of heavy rain alternated with bright sunshine all day.
- Online classes alternate with in-person sessions this semester.
- Short videos alternate with text explanations in the course.
on alternate days
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt dˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
every other day
Happening every other day, with one day on and one day off.
Ejemplos
- I take this medicine on alternate days.
- They water the garden on alternate days to save water.
on alternate weekends
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈikˌɛndz/
fixed phrase
every other weekend
Happening every other weekend, not every weekend.
Ejemplos
- The children stay with their father on alternate weekends.
- We go hiking on alternate weekends when the weather is good.