what alternatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what alternatives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about different options or choices available in a particular context. Example: "Before making a decision, I would like to know what alternatives are available to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What alternatives are there?

The New York Times

What alternatives do I have?

Independent

"What alternatives do people have?" he asked in an interview.

The New York Times

It's not clear, though, what alternatives were available.

The New Yorker

"I want to see what alternatives are available".

The New York Times - Sports

What alternatives would you be willing to take?

The Guardian - Opinion

What alternatives were considered and why were they abandoned?

The New York Times - Books

We wait to see what alternatives the opposition proposes.

The Guardian

What alternatives to deepening housing inequalities are possible?

The Guardian - Opinion

And what alternatives offer themselves at this time, in this specific week?

The New York Times

But what alternatives are there, and who can help these immigrant workers?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what alternatives", ensure the context clearly defines what the alternatives are for. For example, "What alternatives are there to driving a car?" specifies alternatives to driving.

Common error

Avoid using "what alternatives" without a clear subject. For example, instead of saying "What alternatives are there?", specify "What alternatives are there for treating this condition?" to provide a clear context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what alternatives" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase. It's used to solicit information about available options or different courses of action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what alternatives" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to inquire about available options or different courses of action. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in written English. It's commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and business communications, signaling its versatility. While semantically similar phrases like "what other options" or "what are the choices" exist, "what alternatives" maintains a distinct emphasis on contrasting different possibilities. For clear and effective communication, always ensure that the context clearly specifies what the alternatives relate to. This phrase is a versatile tool for exploring choices and seeking informed decisions across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what other options

This alternative replaces "alternatives" with "options", keeping the meaning nearly identical.

what are the choices

This alternative focuses on the aspect of choosing, framing the query as a search for available choices.

what are the possibilities

This alternative broadens the scope to consider potential outcomes or avenues.

what else is there

This alternative is a more informal way of asking about other available options.

what are the substitute

This alternative directly inquires about replacements or stand-ins for a specific thing or action.

what are some different approaches

This alternative is used when asking about alternative ways to address a problem or situation.

what could be done instead

This option emphasizes actions that can replace current ones.

what are the fallback

This alternative specifically refers to backup options in case the primary choice fails.

what are the remedies

This option focuses on solutions or corrections that can be applied.

what are the escape routes

This is an idiomatic alternative emphasizing the ways out or the options to deviate from the current path.

FAQs

How do I use "what alternatives" in a sentence?

Use "what alternatives" to inquire about the options available in a given situation. For instance, "What alternatives are there to using fossil fuels?" or "I'm not sure about this plan; what alternatives do we have?"

What can I say instead of "what alternatives"?

You can use alternatives like "what other options", "what are the choices", or "what are the possibilities" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "what alternatives is there"?

No, the grammatically correct phrasing is "what alternatives are there". "Alternatives" is plural, so it requires the plural verb "are".

What is the difference between "what alternatives" and "what options"?

The terms "what alternatives" and "what options" are largely interchangeable. While "alternatives" often implies a contrast to a current choice, "what options" is a more general inquiry about possibilities.