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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Help Help!!

"Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, red ginseng can be a great natural-alternative (1)to / (2)in reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis."

We are fighting each other because of which preposition is correct in this sentence now. Most people say (2)in is correct, considering meaning and we think this is not a "an alternative to" phrase but some guy is criticizing us, insisting that "to" is only right and we are stupid. Please, help me and give me your wise opinions about it. Which do you think is correct? Thank you and please help me.
  

Top answer

Neither one sounds OK to me. You need both, plus an medication that is the alternative. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, red ginseng can be a great natural alternative to ibuprofen in reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Neither one sounds OK to me.
  • You need both, plus an medication that is the alternative.
  • Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, red ginseng can be a great natural alternative to ibuprofen in reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
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5 Answers
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Neither one sounds OK to me. You need both, plus an medication that is the alternative.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, red ginseng can be a great natural alternative to ibuprofen in reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Thank you!! Anyhow , you are saying that "in reducing...." is fine. Thank you!!
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To is not the best choice here. Usually, with the word alternative, to is used when two possibilities are stated, e.g., an alternative to buying is renting. Your sentence, on the other hand, states one possibility, and can momentarily suggest that red ginseng can be chosen instead of reducing the severity of the disease. In this case, I think
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Aspara GusTo is not the best choice here. Usually, with the word alternative, to is used when two possibilities are stated, e.g., an alternative to buying is renting. Your sentence, on the other hand, states one possibility, and can momentarily suggest that red ginseng can be chosen instead of reducing the severity of the disease. In this case, I think that in and for are
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AnonymousThank you and you mean that "Red ginseng can be a great natural alternative to reducing..." means "red ginseng can be chosen instead of reducing the severity of the disease." But that doesn't make sense. That's why "in" or "for" is more proper? Am I right?
That's right. I recommend for, as used in my first example.
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