Menu

Alternatively for Dummies

adverb

pronunciation: ɔl'tɝrnʌtɪvli

What does Alternatively really mean?

50 1
50

Alternatively is a word that can be a little confusing at first, but don't worry, we'll break it down together. So, imagine you have to make a decision between two options. Maybe you're deciding what flavor of ice cream to have after dinner - strawberry or chocolate. You've already tried strawberry before, and this time you want to have something different. That's when you can say to yourself, "Alternatively, I could choose chocolate."

What you're saying here is that if you don't go with strawberry, you have the option to choose chocolate instead. The word "alternatively" is like a signal that shows there is another choice available to you. It's like having a backup plan or an alternative option in case the first one doesn't work out or you simply want to try something different.

But wait, there's more! Alternatively can also mean another thing. Imagine you are reading a book and you come across a sentence that you don't understand. You could ask your teacher for help, or alternatively, you could use a dictionary to look up the words you don't know. Here, alternatively is telling you that you have two different choices for getting help with your reading, and either option is fine.

So, to sum it all up, when we say "alternatively," we mean that there is another choice or option available to us. It's like having a Plan B or finding a different way to do something. It's good to know that we don't always have to stick with the first choice, and alternatively gives us the freedom to explore different possibilities.


Revised and Fact checked by Jane Smith on 2023-11-06 04:19:42

Alternatively In a sentece

Learn how to use Alternatively inside a sentece

  • You can eat an apple for a snack, or alternatively, you can have a banana instead.
  • If the weather is too hot to play outside, you can go swimming in the pool alternatively.
  • You can choose to read a book in your free time, or alternatively, you can watch a movie.
  • If you don't have any milk, alternatively, you can use water to make hot chocolate.
  • If you can't find your red shirt, you can wear your blue shirt alternatively.

Alternatively Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

instead or else

Alternatively Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant

alternative