alternative

noun

OPAL W

/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/

/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/

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a thing that you can choose to do or have out of two or more possibilities可供选择的事物
- The car is too expensive so we're trying to find a cheaper alternative.这辆车太贵了，所以我们正在寻找更便宜的替代品。
- There is a vegetarian alternative on the menu every day.每天的菜单上另有素食餐点。
- We had no alternative but to fire Gibson. 我们别无他法，只有辞退吉布森。
- to offer/provide an alternative 提供替代方案
- alternative to something Does this offer a viable alternative to the existing system?这是否为现有系统提供了可行的替代方案？
- as an alternative to something Fruit juice is provided as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.果汁是酒精饮料的替代品。
- alternative for somebody This treatment is the only alternative for some patients.这种治疗是一些病人的唯一选择。
Synonyms option
option
- choice
- alternative
- possibility
These are all words for something that you choose to do in a particular situation.
- option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do:
  As I see it, we have two options…据我看，我们有两种选择…
  Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year.学生在二年级时可以选择出国学习。
  Option is also the word used in computing for one of the choices you can make when using a computer program: Choose the ‘Cut’ option from the Edit menu.
- choice the freedom to choose what you do; something that you can choose to have or do:
  If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow.如果让我选择，我明天就停止工作。
  There is a wide range of choices open to you.你有很多选择。
- alternative something that you can choose to have or do out of two or more possibilities:
  You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives.你的工资可以按周以现金支取，或按月以支票支取。二者可选其一。
option, choice or alternative?用 option、choice 还是 alternative？Choice is slightly less formal than option and alternative is slightly more formal. Choice is most often used for ‘the freedom to choose’, although you can sometimes also use option (but not usually alternative): If I had the choice/option, I would… • If I had the alternative, I would… • parental choice in education • parental option/alternative in education. Things that you can choose are options, choices or alternatives. However, alternative is more frequently used to talk about choosing between two things rather than several.
- possibility one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation:
  We need to explore a wide range of possibilities.我们需要探究各种可能的情况。
  The possibilities are endless.可想的办法是无穷的。
  Possibility can be used in a similar way to option, choice and alternative, but the emphasis here is less on the need to make a choice, and more on what is available.
Patterns
- with/without the option/choice/possibility of something
- a(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternative
- the only option/choice/alternative/possibility open to somebody
- to have a/an/the option/choice of doing something
- to have no option/choice/alternative but to do something
- a number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilities
Extra Examples
- His idea seemed to offer a possible alternative.他的想法似乎提供了另一种可能的选择。
- Is there an alternative to surgery for this complaint?除了手术外，这种毛病还有其他治疗方法吗？
- There is no alternative for those with no car of their own.没有私家车的人就没有选择余地了。
- They are seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.他们正在寻找化石燃料的替代物。
- We'll have to find an alternative.我们必须找到替代品。
- a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks比起泡饮料更健康的另一选择
- seeking alternatives to nuclear power寻找核能的替代物
- We can agree to their terms or else pull out of the deal completely: those are the two alternatives.我们要么同意他们的条款，要么彻底退出交易。二者选其一。
Topics Preferences and decisionsa2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- attractive
- effective
- good
- …
verb + alternative
- have
- offer
- provide
- …
alternative + verb
- be available
- exist
preposition
- alternative for
- alternative to
phrases
- have little alternative (but to)
- have no alternative (but to)
- leave somebody with no alternative (but to)
- …
See full entry
Word Originmid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘alternating, alternate’): from French alternatif, -ive or medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare ‘interchange’, from alternus ‘every other’, from alter ‘other’.

alternative

adjective

OPAL W

/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/

/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/

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(also alternate especially in North American English)
[only before noun] that can be used instead of something else可供替代的
- The road was closed so we had to find an alternative route.道路被封闭了，所以我们不得不寻找另一条路。
- Can you offer an alternative explanation? 你能提供另一种解释吗？
- an alternative method of working另一种工作方法
- Do you have an alternative solution?你有没有别的解决办法？
[usually before noun] different from the usual or traditional way in which something is done非传统的；另类的
- alternative therapy/treatments替代疗法/疗法
- an alternative lifestyle另类生活方式
- Medicine made of mould must once have seemed very alternative.由霉菌制成的药物曾经似乎很另类。

Word Originmid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘alternating, alternate’): from French alternatif, -ive or medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare ‘interchange’, from alternus ‘every other’, from alter ‘other’.