Alternative refers to one of two or more available options; or, in a broader sense, a substitute or surrogate. It denotes something that can replace another in a given situation, often contrasting with the primary or usual choice. The term is commonly used in decision-making, discussions of possibility, and in contexts where multiple options exist today.
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US: aim for a rhotic but subtle 'r' is often not pronounced in this word; keep /ɔː/ as a long open vowel, with /tər/ clearly enunciated; UK: typically non-rhotic, second syllable reduced to /tə/ and a slightly lighter final, emphasize /neɪ/; AU: similar to UK but with more centralized vowels and less intrusive R-free vowels; all share clear /neɪ/ before -tɪv. Use IPA cues: /ˌɔːl.tərˈneɪ.tɪv/ (US) vs /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/ (UK) vs /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/ (AU). Focus on keeping the first vowel long and the third syllable stressed.
"We considered several alternatives before choosing the final design."
"The alternative to driving is taking the train, which is faster and more comfortable."
"In music, the alternative version offers a different arrangement of the same song."
"The political candidate proposed several alternatives to the current policy."
The word alternative comes from Middle French alternative, from Latin alternativus, meaning 'pertaining to choosing between two things,' from alternus 'one after another, in turn,' from *alter* 'the other of two.' The root *alter-* signals change or difference, appearing in English in the 15th century as a noun and later as an adjective. The sense expanded from simply 'one of two' to include any option or substitute; in law, science, and philosophy,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "alternative" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "alternative" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "alternative"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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US: /ˌɔːl.tərˈneɪ.tɪv/; UK: /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/; AU: /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/. Emphasize the secondary stress on the third syllable: al-TER-na-tive or al-ter-NAY-tive depending on dialect. Start with the /ɔː/ as in 'thought,' then clear /tər/ sequence, stress on the third syllable -neɪ-, and finish with -tɪv. Mouth: lips neutral on first, slight rounding for /ɔː/; tongue relaxed for /tər/; stress in /neɪ/ stretches the vowel. IPA cues help: US: ˌɔːl.tərˈneɪ.tɪv; UK: ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv; AU: ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv.
Two main issues: (1) Misplacing stress, saying al-TER-nuh-tiv or al-ter-NAY-tiv with wrong stress. (2) Reducing the second syllable too much (tər or tə) so it sounds like al-TAY-niv. Correction: keep a clear second syllable /tər/ or /tə/ depending on accent, then stress the third syllable /neɪ/ and keep final /tɪv/. Use a slow, deliberate pace until the sequence feels natural, and practice the -neɪ- vowel as a bright diphthong rather than a shortened vowel.
US tends to preserve /ˌɔːl.tərˈneɪ.tɪv/ with stronger r-less but r-colored /ə/ in some speakers. UK commonly yields /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/ with a lighter second syllable and clearer final -tɪv. Australian typically /ˌɔːl.təˈneɪ.tɪv/ with non-rhotic vowels and a more centralized second syllable. Across all, the main difference is the degree of vowel reduction in the middle syllable and the placement of primary stress on the third syllable; rhoticity is less of a factor in AU/UK for this word, and vowel quality in /ɔː/ remains long and open.
Because it combines a long first vowel cluster, a mid consonant sequence (l-t-r), and a three-syllable stress pattern that moves the primary emphasis to the third syllable. The middle syllable often reduces to /tə/ or /tər/, which can blur the rhythm. The onset /ɔːl/ requires keeping the vowel long while transitioning to the alveolar /t/ and /r/. Finally, the -neɪ-tɪv ending requires a crisp /neɪ/ before a light /tɪv/. Practicing with controlled pacing helps maintain accuracy.
No silent letters. The challenge lies in syllable count, stress pattern, and the /tər/ vs /tə/ reduction in the middle. The primary stress is on the third syllable; you do pronounce every letter but the middle may reduce in fast speech. Focusing on the three-syllable rhythm and the clear /neɪ/ vowel helps sustain accuracy in natural speech.
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