admirable alternative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admirable alternative" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a substitute option that is worthy of respect or approval. Example: "The proposal for renewable energy sources is an admirable alternative to fossil fuels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Credit unions offer an admirable alternative – but can they work for entire communities?

The Guardian - Opinion

In this scenario, full disclosure becomes the relatively more admirable alternative, much the way it is with Oscar winners: someone standing teary-eyed at the microphone, saying how thrilled and humbled he is to be the owner of this fantastic painting.

The New York Times

Positioning yourself as the "good guy," the admirable alternative, can have untold benefits in an industry as fraught as this.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both writers possessed an admirable knack for creating alternative worlds.

The Guardian - Books

While this is an admirable quality when the alternative would be panic in the face of a sudden threat, not getting too fussed can become dangerous complacency.

Independent

Bowing to veto threats from the White House, Congress stripped from an otherwise admirable energy bill two important provisions on alternative fuels.

The New York Times

In any case, trying to develop alternatives to monopoly distribution is always admirable, and indeed, desirable in the long run, but the more pertinent question is: if not iTunes, then what?

Forbes

To be fair, many showed admirable restraint by opting for the double cheeseburger (the low-carb alternative to two cheeseburgers).

The New York Times

"It's better than the alternative," he quips in the video, which is, you know, an admirable way to look at this whole nightmare.

Vice

Crawford's distaste for office work can make any alternative seem preferable, and he comes close to idealizing life among the gears and gaskets, lauding the admirable simplicity of "the relationship between a machinist and his shop boss".

The New Yorker

All admirable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admirable alternative" when you want to signal that a secondary option is not just a backup but is actually superior in ethics, quality, or logic.

Common error

Avoid using "admirable alternative" for purely technical or mechanical substitutes where no value judgment is involved; in those cases, a "suitable alternative" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase acts as a complex noun phrase where the adjective "admirable" modifies the head noun "alternative". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as a subject complement or a direct object to describe a non-primary option that holds positive value.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admirable alternative" is a sophisticated linguistic tool used to denote a substitute that is worthy of respect or approval. Analysis from Ludwig AI confirms its use in high-prestige publications like The New York Times and The Economist, primarily in contexts involving social, economic, or artistic choices. Unlike a simple "viable alternative", it carries an inherent value judgment, suggesting the option is not just functional but 'good' in a broader sense. It is grammatically correct and most effective in formal or semi-formal writing where the author intends to highlight the positive attributes of a secondary path.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commendable option

Focuses on the worthiness of the choice rather than the feeling of admiration.

praiseworthy substitute

Uses stronger language suggesting the alternative deserves explicit praise.

respectable choice

A more common and slightly less emotive version of the phrase.

worthy replacement

Emphasizes that the alternative is equal in value to what it replaces.

laudable preference

Highly formal and suggests the choice is deserving of public approval.

meritorious pick

Focuses on the inherent merit or quality of the selection.

estimable recourse

Suggests the alternative is a reliable and respected source of help or solution.

creditable stand-in

Suggests the alternative performs the required function to a high standard.

notable surrogate

Technical tone implying the replacement is significant or distinct.

exemplary possibility

Suggests the alternative could serve as a model for others to follow.

FAQs

How to use "admirable alternative" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight a respected substitute, such as: "The local credit union provides an "admirable alternative" to high-interest commercial banks."

What can I say instead of "admirable alternative"?

Depending on the context, you might use a "commendable option", a "praiseworthy substitute", or a "respectable choice".

Is "admirable alternative" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct adjective-noun construction. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard and respected way to describe a high-quality substitute.

What is the difference between "admirable alternative" and "suitable alternative"?

While a "suitable alternative" simply means the option works or fits, an "admirable alternative" implies that the option is worthy of respect or approval due to its quality or moral standing.