# Grammar question; alternate vs. alternative? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175 "2004-07-21T13:36:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pretend_my_name_is_witty)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/1 "2004-07-21T13:36:44Z")
A little background… Right, I’m a student wishing to quit my current job, and I have interviews for other ones already. I’m writing out my notice now, and in the final paragraph I’m basically saying “I’d like to leave this job on good terms with you, as I am in search of other jobs, and need this reference”. I’ve phrased it as “I am in search of _alternate_ employment”. However, my Dad’s read through it, and thinks I should change it to “_alternative_ employment”. He’s usually right about most things English, but this just doesn’t sound right to me. Something like alternate is an adjective, whereas alternative is a noun. But what do I know, eh? I’m a science boy. So, it’s down to you, dopers, to tell me which word I should use. Since some of you are _always_ right with grammar things, I’m going to trust you. Thankyou in advance, Harry Oh yeah, and no smarty pants pointing out other grammar problems in my OP. Please. (I’m fully aware that this request will open me up for comments like that, but at least I said it!) ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/2 "2004-07-21T13:48:33Z")
It’s not a question of grammar. The two words mean different things. Alternate means “every other”. If you stand in a line that goes boy-girl-boy-girl, every alternate person is a girl. What you mean is “alternative”, which means “other than what I have presently”. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/3 "2004-07-21T13:48:43Z")
I think “other employment” sounds the best. “Alternate employment” sounds weird to me but I think it’s technically grammatically correct. “Alternative employment” sounds like you want to work in a GLB store or get a tattoo. It might be grammatically correct but it sounds strange to me. [quote] Something like alternate is an adjective, whereas alternative is a noun. [quote] “Alternative” is not only a noun. It’s also an adjective, like “alternative lifestyle.” “Alternate” is also not only an adjective; it’s a noun too: She was designated as the Alternate for the cheerleading team." ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/4 "2004-07-21T13:50:15Z")
Both “alternate” and “alternative” can be used as adjectives. For me, the basic meaning of “alternate” is “every second” or “every other”, as in “John and Mary each paid for alternate rounds of drinks”. The basic meaning of “alternative” is “contrasted with another choice” (or less strictly with other choices – some people think that you can only have two alternatives, not three or more). So in your example, “alternative” is right. If you were doing one job one week, and another job the next week, changing jobs every week, then you would be doing alternate jobs. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/5 "2004-07-21T13:53:58Z")
Now that I hear other people’s explanations, I think “alternative” doesn’t sound that bad. I guess I’m hearing it a lot lately in reference to “alternative” people. “Other” employment is still best, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pretend_my_name_is_witty)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/6 "2004-07-21T15:16:45Z")
OK, well alternative probably is the correct word then. I dont know though, it just seems to me that when I say “seeking alternative employment” it sounds like “i’m seeking an alternative **to** employment”, like I’m telling him I plan to sit on a park bench and drink rather than having a job. Is there another word I could use? I know ‘other’ is perfectly acceptable, but rest of the letter sounds so fancy (albeit slightly conceited), I want a smart sentence for this bit to match. I know it’s a bit silly, but it’s a long story and basically I want my boss to be aware that I’m (now, this will sound conceited) ‘smart’, because this’ll help with the image of me that he’s got. So tell me if “other employment” sounds OK to you guys, but to me it just seems a bit clumsy. Thanks for your help, sorry I’m being very picky with my wording! Harry …actually, I might just scribble “I got 'nuther job” on a paper plane and throw it at him. That might work. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/7 "2004-07-21T15:40:21Z")
Well, I tend to think that people who are trying to use “big” possibly misunderstood words just to sound smart are, in fact, accomplishing the exact opposite. Your boss already either knows you’re smart or he already thinks you’re an idiot. Your resignation letter isn’t going to change that unless it’s so horribly written that he decides he’s been wrong about you all along. I really think “I’ve decided to look for other employment” means exactly what you want to say and there’s no confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/8 "2004-07-21T16:07:12Z")
**missbunny** is right. If you’re confused about how a word should be used, and important document like this letter isn’t the place to take it for a test drive. 🙂 Never chose a word or phrase to try to make yourself sound smart; choose it because it clearly communicates what you’re trying to get across. And, actually, if the rest of your letter sounds fancy and conceited, you might want to think about revising it. I think the best way to leave your boss with a favorable lasting opinion is for your letter of resignation to be polite, straightforward, and professional, not fancy or wordy. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/9 "2004-07-21T17:27:33Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Both “alternate” and “alternative” can be used as adjectives. For me, the basic meaning of “alternate” is “every second” or “every other”, as in “John and Mary each paid for alternate rounds of drinks”. The basic meaning of “alternative” is “contrasted with another choice” (or less strictly with other choices – some people think that you can only have two alternatives, not three or more). So in your example, “alternative” is right. If you were doing one job one week, and another job the next week, changing jobs every week, then you would be doing alternate jobs. **Giles** is completely correct, and is supported by the copy of Bryan Garner’s _Dictionary of Modern American Usage_ that i have open on the desk in front of me. Garner says that, while the latin root of _alternative_ (_alter_: “the other of two”) suggests that the use of _alternative_ “should be confined to contexts involving but two choices,” this is an excessively pedantic interpretation, and _alternative_ can reasonably used to discuss situations in which a number of choices are possible. Garner does point out that the adjectival form of _alternate_ has two senses. the first is the one given by **Giles** , involving the notion of every other or every second one. The second sense of _alternate_ as an adjective is “substitute.” For example, “Although he didn’t make the first team, he was named as the first alternate player.” Garner concludes: “_Alternate_ is sometimes misused for _alternative_, an understandable mistake given how close sense 2 of _alternate_ is.” Interestingly, _Fowler’s Modern English Usage_ (third edition), which is aimed at an English rather than American audience, suggests that the misuse of _alternate_ for _alternative_ is more common in the United States, and that _alternative_ still tends to be used in Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/10 "2004-07-21T18:55:24Z")
I think the question you _asked_ has been answered. But I’ve got 2p on the implicit one 🙂 “Alternative” doesn’t add anything to the meaning over “other” - and has the drawback that, as discussed above, it sounds a bit odd and ambiguous. An intellegent letter doesn’t use _long_ words, it uses _meaningful_ words. Sometimes, “alternative” would carry the right connotation, but I don’t think it does here. Also, whenever I try to write “fancy” I always end being pretentious and unclear - realise you might fall into this. The obvious answer would be to say what you mean: “better”. But that’s not very tactful. So if you’re set on this, try to think of a word that conveys the right impression - what you actually want to do, or plausible vagueness, depending - succinctly. _That_ sounds good. Alternatively 😉 don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/11 "2004-07-21T19:51:33Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The second sense of alternate as an adjective is “substitute.” For example, “Although he didn’t make the first team, he was named as the first alternate player.” > > Garner concludes: “Alternate is sometimes misused for alternative, an understandable mistake given how close sense 2 of alternate is.” Nonsense. “Substitute” is exactly what _alternative_ means. And, Merriam-Webster gives a definition (sense 4) of _alternate_ as “constituting an alternative.” They are precisely the same. Anyway, I agree with the other posters that either one would be a bad choice. “I am seeking alternative employment” sounds false and panderous. I like **missbunny** ’s suggestion of “I have decided to look for other employment.” Use that. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/12 "2004-07-21T20:48:55Z")
I finally looked it up (OED) and have two further points regarding using the meaning of “alternate” that’s the same as “alternative.” Firstly, it lists alternate=alternative as American usage, so it’s probably ok, but while I bet few people in britain know the difference any more, if you wanted to sound bright in the UK, it might be best to stick to ‘alternative’ Secondly, the first quotation of this usage is from 1960, so there are, as perhaps this thread shows, people who – IMHO with justification, since the words apparently used to mean different things, and it only causes confusion to conflate words simply because they sound similar and have similar meanings – are slow to accept it as other than an error - it might be wise to avoid it in case your boss is a pedant. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/13 "2004-07-21T21:35:33Z")
> [@rkts](#): > > Nonsense. “Substitute” is exactly what _alternative_ means. And, Merriam-Webster gives a definition (sense 4) of _alternate_ as “constituting an alternative.” They are precisely the same. That’s no surprise, coming from the unrepentant descriptivists at Merriam-Webster. I happen to think that Bryan Garner, who is one of the most respected in the field in the US, walks a more reasonable line between descriptivism and prescriptivism in his recommendations for American usage. ---
**Author:** ![rkts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@rkts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rkts)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/14 "2004-07-21T22:25:11Z")
I still don’t understand this statement: > [@](#): > > Garner concludes: “Alternate is sometimes misused for alternative, an understandable mistake given how close sense 2 of alternate is.” because unless I’m missing something, the two are exactly the same. I cannot think of any instance where _alternate_ might be used incorrectly for _alternative_, given that his second sense is acceptable. Perhaps an example would help me understand. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/15 "2004-07-21T22:56:42Z")
> [@rkts](#): > > I still don’t understand this statement: > > because unless I’m missing something, the two are exactly the same. I cannot think of any instance where _alternate_ might be used incorrectly for _alternative_, given that his second sense is acceptable. Perhaps an example would help me understand. I agree that, if we accept Garner’s second sense, then in most cases _alternate_ can reasonably be used for _alternative_. The quote i gave from Garner shows that he pretty much concededs the point as well. To tell you the truth, i have come to accept that “alternate” has irrevocably entered American usage as a synonym of “alternative,” even though i prefer to use _alternate_ to refer only to Garner’s first sense. i.e., “every second” or “every other.” It just seems to me that there are cases where “alternate” or “substitute” do not do the job as well as alternative. If you want an example, i actually think that sentence presented by the OP is a pretty good one. To me, putting “alternate” or “substitute” in there does not convey the sense of seeking new or different employment in the same way as putting “alternative.” I realize that this is a rather inadequate answer, and in fact this is one of the few entries in Garner’s book where i feel that he could provide more explanation of his definitions and usages. I might actually write to him about the matter. I know he has an address and an organization or society where he can be contacted about matters related to his book. ---
**Author:** ![pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pretend_my_name_is_witty)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/16 "2004-07-21T23:18:45Z")
I think it’s probably safest if I just use ‘other’, or rephrase the entire sentence. It really annoys me when I come across something like this and can’t write it the way I want to. > [@missbunny](#): > > Well, I tend to think that people who are trying to use “big” possibly misunderstood words just to sound smart are, in fact, accomplishing the exact opposite. Well, to go off on a tangent, I want to write a fancy letter because, basically I haven’t _needed_ to write anything complicated for a long time; as I said, I’m a science boy and I think I ‘miss’ the essays of GCSE English! I wrote the letter yesterday, and thought that it could be interpreted one of two ways really; 1 - Good ole’ Mr W’ton (boss, but dont want to put his whole name) thinks “Oh, Harry here’s obviously got his head screwed on, maybe I shouldn’t have taken his threats about writing to head office so lightly” or 2 - Mr W’ton thinks “Ooh, Harry’s a bit of an arrogant sod, I can’t understand half these words (and he wont), so let’s give him a crap reference” However, this is all to do with the ‘bigger picture’ surrounding my leaving this job. Bottom line is ‘dont get a job at The Odeon’. Well thankyou, all, for you help in picking my words! Harry ---
**Author:** ![pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pretend_my_name_is_witty)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-alternate-vs-alternative/256175/17 "2004-07-21T23:30:49Z")
> [@Pretend My Name Is Witty](#): > > Well thankyou, all, for \*\*\*you \* \*\* help in picking my words! Who picked that one?