alternated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "alternated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means "to move or change back and forth between two or more things". For example, you can say "The students alternated between playing games and taking a test".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Christie was a Labour party member: for decades the position had alternated between these two political branches of the movement.

The Guardian

From southern Peru, through Bolivia, and into northern Argentina, my route alternated between the luxuriant jungles on the Andes' eastern slopes, and deserts on the west.

The Guardian - Travel

By nightfall, word was spreading about other Obama cabinet members: NBC's Washington affiliate reported that the personal email of former defense secretary Chuck Hagel had on at least one occasion been used for government business; outgoing attorney general Eric Holder has reportedly alternated between several aliases.

The Guardian

Mexicans have also alternated repeatedly between an embrace of globalisation and a reversion to an inward-looking nationalism.For the first decade of the 20th century, for instance, international bankers threw money at Mexico because of its macroeconomic stability, its railway boom and a global liquidity glut.

The Economist

To create the metal rubber, layers of non-conducting polymers are alternated with layers of metal ions, such as gold, silver or platinum.

The Economist

Periods of repression alternated with periods of relative toleration, but repression was the norm.

The Economist

It trails not just the federalist Liberals, with whom it has alternated in power since 1970, but also Action Démocratique du Québec (ADQ), a new party with only five of the 125 seats in the legislature.The ADQ is nationalist but not secessionist; indeed, one of its main policies is a moratorium on referendums on the issue.

The Economist

His departure gives Spain only its third finance minister in 16 years: Mr Solbes and Rodrigo Rato, of the opposition People's Party (PP), had alternated since 1993.

The Economist

Standing on an anti-corruption platform, Mr Solís came third in 2002, and polls in the low twenties now.The ruling Social Christian party, which has alternated in power with the PLN since a revolution in 1948, is set for humiliation.

The Economist

The begums alternated in power from 1991-2007 are are blamed for the fiercely antagonistic, corrupt politics that led the army to step in.

The Economist

The two have alternated in power, each lasting a couple of terms before being booted out by voters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alternated", ensure the context clearly indicates the elements or actions that are being switched between.

Common error

Avoid using "alternated" when more than two elements are involved, as it implies a switch between two options, not multiple.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alternated" is as a verb, typically used in the past tense to describe a recurring change between two or more states or actions. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alternated" functions as a past tense verb indicating a recurring switch between two or more states or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "alternated" serves to convey a sense of cyclical or sequential occurrence. When using "alternated", ensure the context clearly indicates the elements or actions that are being switched between and be mindful that it typically implies only two options. Related phrases include "took turns", "switched back and forth", and "rotated". This analysis provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using "alternated" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took turns

Focuses on the sequential aspect of actions performed by different entities.

switched back and forth

Emphasizes the act of changing between two options repeatedly.

varied

Implies a change or difference in condition, amount, or level.

rotated

Suggests a cyclical or repeating pattern of change.

cycled through

Describes a complete sequence that repeats itself.

interchanged

Highlights the mutual exchange of roles or positions.

fluctuated

Suggests irregular or inconsistent variations between different states.

oscillated

Similar to fluctuated, but implies a more regular back-and-forth movement.

followed in sequence

Emphasizes the order of occurrences in a series.

recurred periodically

Highlights a repeating pattern with consistent intervals.

FAQs

How is "alternated" used in a sentence?

"Alternated" is used to describe a situation where two or more things repeatedly take each other's place. For instance, "The team members "alternated" in leading the meetings".

What can I say instead of "alternated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "took turns", "switched", or "rotated".

Is it correct to say "alternated between multiple options"?

While understandable, "alternated" typically implies switching between two options. For multiple options, consider using "varied" or "cycled through".

What's the difference between "alternated" and "varied"?

"Alternated" suggests a regular, back-and-forth pattern between two options, while "varied" indicates a more general change or difference without a specific pattern.