alternate turns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alternate turns" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when two or more people take turns in a given activity. For example: "The players took alternate turns throwing the ball back and forth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The result reads like two very different books shuffled together, jostling one another uncomfortably as they alternate turns over nearly eight hundred pages.

The New Yorker

White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to force the opponent's principal piece, the King, into checkmate a position where it is unable to avoid capture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She took alternate turns to right and left, fell swiftly to the floor in a sudden and spectacular backbend, and then, kneeling, began to brilliantly coordinate head (moving side to side) and hands.

The New York Times - Arts

Giving people plenty of opportunities to join in – either with repeated phrases or sound effects – or getting them to alternate turns at reading with you all helps to engage their interest.

The Guardian

Category C (Science and Mathematics) Consider the following two-player game, Don't Be Greedier, which involves players' taking alternate turns removing pebbles from one pile of pebbles, subject to the following rules: (1) The player to remove the last pebble or pebbles from the pile wins the game.

The New York Times

Pass The Controller lets two players alternate turns on a game, as if they're sitting next to each other on a couch – passing the controller back and forth – in the same room.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Judah, whose biggest disappointment was failing to earn an automatic berth on the 1996 United States Olympic boxing team (he was an alternate), turned professional in September 1996, scoring a second-round technical knockout against Michael Johnson in his first fight.

The New York Times - Sports

At Castaic the Ridge Route Alternate turned northwest from the old road at, now the intersection of Castaic Road and Neely Street.

Wikipedia

Go at your own pace, and alternate turning your neck to breathe after 2 to 10 strokes, depending upon your lung capacity.

WikiHow

If you get a sputtering start and then a fail, you can try adding another teaspoon of raw gas straight to the venturi, or just alternate turning it over and giving it a break, until it starts.

WikiHow

On alternating turns, players can remove any coin they like.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing games or activities, use "alternate turns" to clearly indicate that participants should take actions in a sequential order, not simultaneously.

Common error

Avoid using "alternate turns" when describing events that happen at the same time. "Alternate turns" implies a strict sequence, not concurrent actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alternate turns" functions as a verb phrase, describing a sequential action. It indicates that two or more parties are performing an activity in a specific order, one after the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alternate turns" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase indicating sequential action execution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's found across diverse contexts, particularly in news, wikis, and scientific sources, with a generally neutral register. To avoid misuse, ensure it describes actions occurring in sequence, not simultaneously. Alternatives such as ""take turns"" can provide similar meaning, and are recommended. By understanding its grammatical function and typical contexts, writers can effectively employ "alternate turns" in their communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take turns

Focuses on the action of sequentially engaging in an activity.

go in rotation

Implies a cyclical sequence.

rotate duties

Emphasizes a structured assignment of different responsibilities.

interchange roles

Suggests swapping or exchanging defined roles.

switch places

Highlights the exchange of positions or roles.

change over

Suggests a transition or replacement in a task.

stagger actions

Indicates actions occurring at intervals, not simultaneously.

share the load

Highlights the distribution of effort or responsibility.

reciprocal action

Emphasizes the mutual and alternating nature of the activity.

follow a sequence

Highlights adherence to a predefined order.

FAQs

How can I use "alternate turns" in a sentence?

You can use "alternate turns" to describe situations where individuals or groups perform actions in a sequence, such as in games or collaborative tasks. For example, "The players "take turns" rolling the dice" or "The designers "interchange roles" on the project".

What is a synonym for "alternate turns"?

A synonym for "alternate turns" is ""take turns"", which also implies a sequential order of actions.

Is it correct to say "alternating turns" instead of "alternate turns"?

While both phrases are understandable, "alternating turns" emphasizes the ongoing process of taking turns, whereas "alternate turns" focuses on the concept of taking turns in general. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "alternate turns" and "simultaneous actions"?

"Alternate turns" indicates a sequence where actions happen one after another, while "simultaneous actions" means actions occur at the same time. They are opposite concepts.