ALTERNATE Meaning and
Definition
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Alternate can be used as a verb or an adjective and has multiple meanings depending on its usage.
As a verb, alternate refers to the act of taking turns or exchanging places with something or someone else. It implies regularly occurring shifts or rotations between two or more options. For example, in a rotating schedule, employees may alternate their shifts so that they take turns working different hours. Similarly, alternating can refer to the process of substituting or interchanging one thing for another repeatedly or periodically.
As an adjective, alternate describes something that follows a pattern of occurring in turns or successive order. It means being every other or every second one in a sequence. For instance, alternate stripes on a flag would be different colors or materials following a specific pattern. Alternate can also indicate a secondary or substitute option or solution. In this sense, it suggests a backup or alternative choice when the primary one is unavailable or unsatisfactory.
In addition to these main definitions, alternate can have specific applications or meanings depending on the context where it is used. It can be associated with political positions, music, or sports, where the term may carry nuances related to specific fields.
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• To do by turns; to happen by turns; to change in succession.
• That succeeds or follows by turns.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for ALTERNATE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for ALTERNATE
Etymology of ALTERNATE
The word "alternate" comes from the Latin word "alternare", which means "to do by turns" or "to interchange". It is derived from the Latin word "alternus", meaning "one after another" or "every other". Over time, the word transitioned into Old French as "alterner" before being adopted into English as "alternate". The root of the word, "alternus", reflects the concept of taking turns or switching back and forth.
Idioms with the word ALTERNATE
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alternate with sth
The idiom "alternate with something" refers to the act of alternating or taking turns with something. It implies a regular or reciprocal pattern where two or more things alternate in succession, alternating or swapping places in a fixed order or cycle.
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alternate with
The idiom "alternate with" means to take turns or to occur in a sequence, repeatedly switching between two things.
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alternate with something
The idiom "alternate with something" means to take turns or switch back and forth between two or more things, often in a regular or sequential pattern.
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alternate bid
The idiom "alternate bid" refers to a competitive bidding process, often used in auctions or construction projects, where participants submit multiple offers or proposals in alternating order. It suggests a structured and sequential method of bidding to ensure fair and equal opportunities for all participants.
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alternate between (someone and someone else)
The idiom "alternate between (someone and someone else)" means to shift or take turns between two or more people or things in a repetitive or cyclic manner. It implies a consistent pattern or sequence of switching back and forth between different individuals or objects.
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alternate between
The idiom "alternate between" means to consistently switch or take turns between two or more things in a regular or repetitive pattern.
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alternate between (sm and sm else)
The idiom "alternate between (sm and sm else)" means to switch or take turns between two or more things or activities repeatedly. It suggests a cyclical pattern or rotation in which different options or choices are regularly interchanged or replaced with one another.
Similar spelling words for ALTERNATE
- alterative,
- altered,
- alliterative,
- alliterator,
- alternating,
- aletris,
- alter ego,
- Alteri,
- alteration,
- alliterate,
- altier,
- alatorre,
- alternator,
- alliteration,
- altercation,
- aliterate,
- alternation,
- alterable,
- altercate,
- alderete,
- altieri,
- alternately,
- aleatory,
- alternative.
Conjugate verb Alternate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have alternated
you
would have alternated
he/she/it
would have alternated
we
would have alternated
they
would have alternated
I
would have alternate
you
would have alternate
he/she/it
would have alternate
we
would have alternate
they
would have alternate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been alternating
you
would have been alternating
he/she/it
would have been alternating
we
would have been alternating
they
would have been alternating
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would alternate
you
would alternate
he/she/it
would alternate
we
would alternate
they
would alternate
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be alternating
you
would be alternating
he/she/it
would be alternating
we
would be alternating
they
would be alternating
FUTURE
I
will alternate
you
will alternate
he/she/it
will alternate
we
will alternate
they
will alternate
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be alternating
you
will be alternating
he/she/it
will be alternating
we
will be alternating
they
will be alternating
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have alternated
you
will have alternated
he/she/it
will have alternated
we
will have alternated
they
will have alternated
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been alternating
you
will have been alternating
he/she/it
will have been alternating
we
will have been alternating
they
will have been alternating
IMPERATIVE
you
alternate
we
let´s alternate
to alternate
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was alternating
you
were alternating
he/she/it
was alternating
we
were alternating
they
were alternating
PAST PARTICIPLE
alternated
PAST PERFECT
I
had alternated
you
had alternated
he/she/it
had alternated
we
had alternated
they
had alternated
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been alternating
you
had been alternating
he/she/it
had been alternating
we
had been alternating
they
had been alternating
PRESENT
I
alternate
you
alternate
he/she/it
alternates
we
alternate
they
alternate
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am alternating
you
are alternating
he/she/it
is alternating
we
are alternating
they
are alternating
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
alternating
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have alternated
you
have alternated
he/she/it
has alternated
we
have alternated
they
have alternated
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been alternating
you
have been alternating
he/she/it
has been alternating
we
have been alternating
they
have been alternating
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
alternate
SIMPLE PAST
I
alternated
you
alternated
he/she/it
alternated
we
alternated
they
alternated
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