Alterate vs. Alternate — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 28, 2024
"Alterate" is incorrect. The correct spelling is "Alternate," which means to occur in turn repeatedly or to act as a substitute.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Alterate or Alternate
How to spell Alternate?
Alterate
Incorrect Spelling
Alternate
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember "Alternate" has a resemblance to "alternating current," which means switching between two states.
"Alterate" might sound like "alter," which means change, but "Alternate" means to switch back and forth.
Visualize two objects taking turns - they "alternate."
Think of "alternate routes"; one route can act as a substitute for another.
"Alternate" has two "n" letters, while "Alterate" has only one.
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How Do You Spell Alternate Correctly?
Incorrect: We decided to alterate between two different strategies.
Correct: We decided to alternate between two different strategies.
Incorrect: The exhibit will alterate between three locations each year.
Correct: The exhibit will alternate between three locations each year.
Incorrect: The team will alterate captains every other game.
Correct: The team will alternate captains every other game.
Incorrect: Can you alterate the colors to see which looks best?
Correct: Can you alternate the colors to see which looks best?
Alternate Definitions
To switch back and forth between two states or actions.
The traffic lights alternate between red and green.
Serving or used in place of another.
Can you suggest an alternate solution?
A person or thing that acts as a substitute.
She is the alternate delegate.
Occur in turn repeatedly
Bouts of depression alternate with periods of elation
Every other; every second
She was asked to attend on alternate days
Another term for alternative
A novel set in an alternate universe
A person who acts as a deputy or substitute
He shall be entitled to exercise the vote of the director for whom he is an alternate
To occur in a successive manner
Day alternating with night.
To act or proceed by turns
The students alternated at the computer.
To pass back and forth from one state, action, or place to another
Alternated between happiness and depression.
(Electricity) To reverse direction at regular intervals in a circuit.
To do or execute by turns.
To cause to alternate
Alternated light and dark squares to form a pattern.
Happening or following in turns; succeeding each other continuously
Alternate seasons of the year.
Designating or relating to every other one of a series
Alternate lines.
Serving or used in place of another; substitute
An alternate plan. See Usage Note at alternative.
Arranged singly at each node, as leaves or buds on different sides of a stem.
Arranged regularly between other parts, as stamens between petals.
A person acting in the place of another; a substitute.
An alternative.
Happening by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; first one and then the other (repeatedly)
Alternate picking is a guitar playing technique.
(mathematics) Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second.
The alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
(US) Other; alternative.
Hyperlinked text is displayed in alternate color in a Web browser.
He lives in an alternate universe and an alternate reality.
Distributed singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence
That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
(US) A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
(mathematics) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
(US) A replacement of equal or greater value or function.
(heraldry) Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.
(transitive) To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
(intransitive) To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; followed by with.
The flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
(intransitive) To vary by turns.
The land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.
To perform an alternation (removal of alternate vertices) on (a polytope or tessellation); to remove vertices (from a face or edge) as part of an alternation.
Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal.
And bid alternate passions fall and rise.
Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second; as, the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. ; read every alternate line.
Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence.
A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil.
To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; - followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast.
Different species alternating with each other.
To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.
Someone who takes the place of another person
Go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
Exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
Be an understudy or alternate for a role
Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
Do something in turns;
We take turns on the night shift
Every second one of a series;
The cleaning lady comes on alternate Wednesdays
Jam every other day
Allowing a choice;
An alternative plan
Occurring by turns; first one and then the other;
Alternating feelings of love and hate
Of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired;
Stems with alternate leaves
Every other; every second.
We meet on alternate Sundays.
To take turns or change repeatedly.
The kids alternate in chores every day.
Alternate Meaning in a Sentence
The conference schedule includes alternate workshops and plenary sessions.
The teacher decided to alternate between group work and individual assignments.
They will alternate the lead role among the three actors throughout the season.
The coach suggested they alternate running days with strength training days.
To save energy, the office building's lights alternate off every other floor.
To keep the garden interesting year-round, plant flowers that bloom at alternate times.
The bus will alternate routes to avoid the construction work.
You can alternate layers of chocolate and vanilla cake to make it more visually appealing.
The children were taught to alternate their feet when climbing stairs.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Alternate?
Alternate (as in "to alternate between").
What is the pronunciation of Alternate?
/ˈɔːl.tər.neɪt/
What is the root word of Alternate?
The Latin word "alternatus."
Which vowel is used before Alternate?
The vowel "A."
Why is it called Alternate?
Derived from the Latin word "alternatus," meaning "one after the other."
Which conjunction is used with Alternate?
Any conjunction can be used depending on the context.
Is Alternate an adverb?
No, but "alternatively" is its adverbial form.
Which preposition is used with Alternate?
"Between" (as in "alternate between").
What is the singular form of Alternate?
Alternate.
Is Alternate an abstract noun?
No.
What is the plural form of Alternate?
Alternates.
Which article is used with Alternate?
Both "a" and "the" can be used.
Is Alternate a noun or adjective?
Both. It can be a noun (an alternate) or an adjective (an alternate route).
How do we divide Alternate into syllables?
Al-ter-nate.
What is a stressed syllable in Alternate?
The first syllable, "Al."
What is another term for Alternate?
Substitute.
What is the third form of Alternate?
Alternated.
How many syllables are in Alternate?
Three.
What is the second form of Alternate?
Alternated.
How is Alternate used in a sentence?
The team will alternate between two strategies during the game.
Is Alternate a countable noun?
Yes, in the noun form (e.g., two alternates).
Is the Alternate term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically.
What is the opposite of Alternate?
Primary or main.
Is Alternate a negative or positive word?
Neutral. It can be positive or negative based on context.
Is Alternate a vowel or consonant?
"Alternate" is a word consisting of both vowels and consonants.
Is Alternate a collective noun?
No.
Is the word Alternate imperative?
No.
What part of speech is Alternate?
It can be both a noun and an adjective.
Which determiner is used with Alternate?
"A," "the," "an," depending on context.
What is the first form of Alternate?
Alternate.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
