I was alternatively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was alternatively" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a choice or option, but it requires additional context or restructuring to be usable. Example: "I was alternatively considering going to the beach or staying home."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I was alternatively thrilled and worried," said one MoveOn staffer involved in the project.

Huffington Post

I was not drunk at the Office Christmas Party...I was "alternatively sober".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is hard work, and it is alternatively the most rewarding and thankless job you can have.

Huffington Post

I loved it, but was alternatively unable to do it because I had to solely focus on school and football.

Huffington Post

In each case, only JEC21 exhibits GT...AG splicing boundaries; in 4/5 cases, cDNA evidence indicated that the intronic sequence was alternatively spliced (i.e., 'intron retention' – cDNAs were found both containing and lacking the intronic sequence).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Similarly, Wolfe was alternatively exultant and disparaging of his adopted borough: "God, I hate Brooklyn," he once told a New York newspaperman.

The New Yorker

He was alternatively vomiting and experiencing violent bowel movements.

Independent

In affected SR genes, the longest intron was alternatively spliced.

Plosone

Ever since I found out that my ex-husband of two years was bringing his girlfriend to the three-day camp wedding in the Adirondacks, I've been alternatively dreading and looking forward to the occasion.

Huffington Post

Desmoplakin I and II are alternatively spliced products of the same gene [ 16, 17].

Breast Cancer Research

Also, conserved ASEs (i.e., exons are alternatively spliced in a pair of compared species) have been suggested to be constrained for preservation of the reading frame [ 18, 22, 27].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "I was alternatively" as it is not grammatically correct and can confuse the reader. Rephrase your sentence to use more standard constructions such as "I alternated between" or "I felt alternately" for clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is placing "alternatively" directly after "I was" to express a shifting state. Instead, use "alternatively" to introduce an alternative option or rephrase to show alternation more directly. Instead of saying "I was alternatively happy and sad", try "I alternated between happiness and sadness" or "Alternatively, I could have chosen a different path".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was alternatively" is intended to modify the verb 'was', suggesting a state of alternating between different conditions or actions. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not grammatically correct and requires rephrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was alternatively" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's better to use alternative phrases such as "I alternated between" or "I felt alternately" to convey the intended meaning of fluctuating states or actions. While some instances of the phrase appear in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it's advisable to avoid this construction in formal writing. By choosing clearer and more conventional alternatives, you can ensure that your writing is easily understood and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I alternated between

Changes the structure to clearly indicate a back-and-forth between two states or actions.

I felt alternately

Emphasizes the feeling or emotion that shifts between different states.

I switched between

Highlights a deliberate change from one option to another.

I varied between

Indicates that there were fluctuations within a range of options.

I experienced both

Highlights the presence of two different feelings or states at different times.

I had mixed feelings

Expresses uncertainty between conflicting emotions or opinions.

I was of two minds

Highlights the struggle between two conflicting opinions or ideas.

I oscillated between

Implies a constant movement between two extreme states or choices.

I wavered between

Suggests an inability to make a firm decision between two options.

I considered either

Focuses on thinking about two distinct options.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to use 'alternatively' when describing my past states?

Instead of saying "I was alternatively...", use phrases like "I alternated between", "I felt alternately", or introduce a separate option: "Alternatively, I could have...". These options provide clarity and proper grammar.

How can I express having mixed feelings or changing states without using "I was alternatively"?

You can use alternatives such as "I had mixed feelings", "I experienced both", or "I switched between" to convey the idea of fluctuating or contrasting emotions.

Is "I was alternatively" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "I was alternatively" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to rephrase using clearer and more standard constructions to ensure your writing is well-received and easily understood in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "I alternated between" and "I was alternatively"?

"I alternated between" correctly shows a back-and-forth shift between two things, while "I was alternatively" is not a standard or grammatically sound way to express this idea. Always use the former for clarity.