Alternate or alternative
Hi,
What's the difference between 'alternate' and 'alternative' route?
Thank you.
Top answer
People have come to use "alternate" for "alternative" as an adjective regardless of the meaning. The OED calls that "Chiefly North American ". "Alternate route" is standard in the US for what is really an alternative one.
- People have come to use "alternate" for "alternative" as an adjective regardless of the meaning.
- The OED calls that "Chiefly North American ".
- "Alternate route" is standard in the US for what is really an alternative one.
- In careful formal writing, and alternate route is pretty much meaningless, and an alternative route is one you can travel if you want instead of the usual one.
- Most people, even in formal writing, don't bother with the distinction, but some of us still do.
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People have come to use "alternate" for "alternative" as an adjective regardless of the meaning. The OED calls that "Chiefly North American". "Alternate route" is standard in the US for what is really an alternative one. In careful formal writing, and alternate route is pretty much meaningless, and an alternative route is one you can travel if you want instead of the usual one. M
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