How to use "alternatively"

What Does "alternatively" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It is a conjunctive adverb that expresses a relationship of choice or substitution. It introduces a second possibility or a different option from the one previously mentioned.
• Typical sentence position: Most commonly used in the initial position to introduce a new sentence, but it can also appear in the medial position (between the subject and verb) or final position.
• Register: It is generally neutral to formal. It is a staple of academic, professional, and journalistic writing, though it is also perfectly acceptable in polite conversation.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: When starting a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma and a full independent clause. When used mid-sentence, it often follows a coordinating conjunction like "or."
• Punctuation rules: Use a comma after alternatively when it starts a sentence. If it is used as a parenthetical insertion mid-sentence, it should be set off by commas on both sides.
• Grammatical flexibility: It is highly flexible. It can start a new sentence to offer a broad alternative, or it can be used within a list of options to distinguish the final choice.
• What sounds unnatural: Using it to mean "one after another" (which is the role of "alternately") or using it when there is no prior option mentioned to contrast against.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from alternatively on Ludwig.guru.

"Alternatively, a Dropbox account is also a good way to get photos on to your computer." — theguardian.com

"There are two possible routes, either by train to Paris and then on to the southern French port of Sète, from where the ferry to Tangier takes 36 hours, or alternatively, you can take the train to Madrid and onto Algeciras, before the 90-minute crossing to Morocco." — theguardian.com

"Gatland may alternatively be tempted to harness the physical threat of George North in the centre or start with Perpignan's James Hook, who filled in as full-back for part of the South Africa match." — theguardian.com

"Every human being should have access to an adequate income for their livelihood, so we ask for work or, alternatively, universal basic income guarantee." — theguardian.com

"Alternatively, you can subscribe to our Digital Archive service which holds a copy of every Guardian and Observer from the first ever edition up to the year 2000." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/alternatively

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
on the other hand	Used to present a contrasting perspective or a different side of an argument.
instead	Direct substitution; implies that the first option is replaced by the second.
otherwise	Used to show what the result would be if the first condition is not met.
as an alternative	A more explicit, slightly more wordy way to introduce a second choice.
conversely	Highly formal; used when the second statement is the reverse of the first.

Common Mistakes

• Confusion with 'alternately': Learners often confuse it with 'alternately', which means 'one after the other' (like a sequence) rather than 'as an alternative' (a choice).
• Missing Commas: Forgetting to place a comma after alternatively when it begins a sentence can make the text harder to parse.
• Redundancy: Using "or alternatively" is common in journalism, but in strict formal logic, it can be seen as redundant since both words signal a choice.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
alternatively	Presents a second choice or option	Neutral to Formal	Initial or Medial

FAQs

Can alternatively appear in different parts of a sentence

Yes, alternatively is quite flexible in its placement. It can function as a sentence starter followed by a comma, or it can be placed in a mid-clause position, often between the subject and the main verb.

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How does alternatively differ from on the other hand

While both express contrast, alternatively specifically introduces a different choice or course of action. In contrast, on the other hand is broader and is typically used to present a conflicting viewpoint or a different aspect of a situation.

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Is there a difference between alternatively and alternately

Yes, and they are frequently confused by learners. Use alternatively when you are offering a choice or a different option, but use alternately when you mean that two things are happening one after the other in a repeating sequence.