for alternate uses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for alternate uses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing different ways something can be utilized or applied beyond its primary function. Example: "This tool is designed for alternate uses, such as both cutting and shaping materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As for alternate uses, he said, "Varying visions may or may not be appealing as a theoretical or romantic concept, but the practical obstacles to achieving them are profound".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Large amounts of radioactive Sr produced in nuclear reactor need to be separated for alternate use or safe disposal.

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

For his series Puffin, his keen sense of alternate uses for common objects and his knack for great lighting drive the composition of dreamlike scenes.

Vice

The rationale for examining alternate uses of birth control was to examine specificity for OCs, as it is plausible that this measure is a marker of sexual activity, which itself has demonstrated some inconsistent association with prostate cancer.

BMJ Open

Ideas for eight alternate uses objects were generated by 249 participants.

Intelligence

But Mr. Harding is upbeat about his prospects, and believes that there are enough alternate uses for the Segway to create a steady demand, specifically mentioning security workers, boat owners, people with physical disabilities and tourists.

The New York Times

Bill Rhoda, a principal in the Dallas office of Conventions, Sports and Leisure International, a consulting company, describes the Lakewood Church project as "one of the most creative alternate uses" for an unwanted arena.

The New York Times

In this mid-career retrospective, sixty insouciant works — made from plastic bags, bottles, and consumer packaging, among other materials — suggest that Feher's interests lie less in transforming objects than in finding alternate uses for forms.

The New Yorker

In Lehrer's account, the task requires divergent thinking: the kind that yields multiple good solutions, as when psychologists ask people to generate alternate uses for objects (e.g., using a brick to prop open a window or to cook a chicken rather than to build a house).

The New York Times - Books

In the early 1990s, Mr. Klein represented a group of the Northern Dispensary's neighbors who were trying to come up with alternate uses for the building in the face of a proposal to house homeless people with AIDS on the site.

The New York Times

Sunkist, the cooperative of Arizona and California citrus growers, also promotes alternate uses for lemons, with a section of its Web site called Lemon-Aids making suggestions like taking a bath with slices in the water and adding peels to firewood in fireplaces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential adaptations of existing infrastructure, use "for alternate uses" to clearly convey the idea of repurposing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "alternate uses" with "alternative uses". "Alternate" implies a sequential or interchangeable use, while "alternative" refers to a substitute or different option. Choose the term that accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for alternate uses" serves as a prepositional phrase, often functioning as an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates the intended or potential purposes something can serve beyond its primary function. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for alternate uses" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes the possibility of employing something in a way that differs from its originally intended function. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media and Science articles, suggesting potential adaptations or repurposing resources. To enhance clarity, consider related phrases like "for alternative applications" or "for different purposes" to refine the meaning based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for alternative applications

Emphasizes different areas of application rather than specific uses.

for different purposes

Focuses on the variety of aims or goals.

for secondary functions

Highlights uses beyond the main function.

for unconventional applications

Stresses the unusual nature of the uses.

for repurposed applications

Focuses on the act of reusing for a different application

for novel uses

Highlights the new or original nature of the applications.

for other applications

General reference to other applications

as alternative solutions

Highlights finding another solution

as different means

Highlights the use as a different way of reaching the same aim.

for various usages

Highlights the broad spectrum of applications.

FAQs

How can I use "for alternate uses" in a sentence?

You can use "for alternate uses" to describe different ways something can be utilized beyond its primary purpose. For example, "The building was considered for alternate uses after the factory closed."

What are some alternatives to "for alternate uses"?

Some alternatives include "for alternative applications", "for different purposes", or "for repurposed applications", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "alternate uses" and "alternative uses"?

"Alternate uses" typically implies uses that are applied in rotation or sequentially, whereas "alternative uses" suggests different and mutually exclusive options.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "for alternate uses"?

It's appropriate to use "for alternate uses" when discussing the possibility of employing something in a way that differs from its originally intended function, especially when implying a rotation or sequence of uses.