alternative use

USAGE SUMMARY

"alternative use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a different way of using something. For example, "We are exploring alternative uses for the building that don't involve demolishing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We love this alternative use!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2.03pm GMT We love this alternative use!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is never an alternative use for the public resources.

The Guardian

An alternative use for the captive-bred lions might be tourism.

The Guardian

An alternative use for Cortlandt Street would be as a staging area for limousines.

The New York Times

M&S does have a decent alternative use for some of their spare space – food".

The Guardian - Business

But nobody has been able to offer an alternative use or find a buyer.

The New York Times

For a quick alternative, use store-bought fried tostadas, broken into big pieces.

The Washington Post

Land owned by public bodies can also be reassessed for alternative use.

Independent

Remember, this was a petition objecting to an alternative use for the Bolingbroke site, not endorsing the new school.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a simpler alternative, use an elastic band, and then hide the elastic with the cat's ribbon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential solutions or strategies, use "alternative use" to highlight creative ways of leveraging existing resources or infrastructure.

Common error

Be mindful of the spelling. While "alternate" can mean 'every other,' "alternative" implies a choice between different options. "Alternative use" correctly suggests a different way of utilizing something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alternative use" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the concept of utilizing something in a way that differs from its original or intended purpose, as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alternative use" describes utilizing something in a way that deviates from its intended or conventional purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears in various contexts, primarily within News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. While "alternative use" is commonly employed to spark creativity and efficiency in problem-solving, it is important to be mindful of the spelling and not confuse it with the word "alternate". When writing, keep in mind that "alternative phrases" like "alternate application" or "different purpose" can add nuance to your expression. Overall, "alternative use" is a useful phrase for exploring unconventional possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate application

Focuses on a specific application that differs from the original.

different purpose

Emphasizes a change in the intended objective or goal.

unconventional employment

Highlights the innovative or unusual nature of the usage.

novel utilization

Stresses the new and inventive aspect of using something.

secondary function

Suggests an additional or less common role.

modified usage

Indicates that the original use has been changed or adapted.

adapted purpose

Highlights that the purpose was modified.

uncommon service

Emphasizes the unusual nature of how something is serving.

repurposed function

Implies that something's original function has been replaced.

innovative application

Underscores creativity.

FAQs

How can I use "alternative use" in a sentence?

You can use "alternative use" to describe a different or unconventional way of using something. For example, "The city is considering the "alternative use" of the old factory as a community center".

What is an "alternative phrase" for "alternative use"?

Some "alternative phrases" for "alternative use" include "alternate application", "different purpose", or "unconventional employment".

Is "alternative use" grammatically correct?

Yes, "alternative use" is grammatically correct. It functions as a noun phrase, where "alternative" modifies the noun "use".

What's the difference between "alternative use" and "typical use"?

"Alternative use" refers to a way of using something that is different from its intended or most common function, while "typical use" refers to its standard or intended function.