Alternate — Meaning, Definition & Examples

Definition

1. To occur or do something in turns, switching back and forth between two or more things.
2. (adjective): happening in turns.
3. Every other one in a sequence.
4. (noun): a substitute or backup person or thing.

Context Alive

The workout routine felt balanced and sustainable because it didn’t push the same muscles every day. Instead, the trainer designed a schedule that would alternate between upper body exercises on Monday and lower body work on Tuesday, allowing each muscle group time to recover while maintaining consistent daily activity throughout the week.

Meanings

1 meaning

1 To switch back and forth (Verb) Very Common ▼

This is how we use alternate in everyday life. You know when you do one thing, then switch to another, then back to the first? That’s when you alternate between activities or choices. For example, parents with young children might alternate who wakes up for night feedings, taking turns so both get some rest. The pattern is regular and predictable—not random switching, but organized turns.

Vivid Example

To keep the long road trip interesting and safe, they decided to alternate driving duties every two hours, pulling over at rest stops to switch seats while the previous driver could relax and enjoy the scenery.

Examples from the Street

“The dancers alternated between fast and slow movements”

the performers switched repeatedly from quick to gentle motions

“We work alternate weekends”

we work every other weekend; one on, one off

“Is there an alternate route?” (American)”

is there a different way we can go?

Common Patterns

alternate between + A and B → switch back and forth between two things

alternate with + noun → take turns with something else

alternating + noun → describes a pattern of switching (alternating colours, alternating currents)

alternate + days/weeks/months → every second day, week, month

on alternate + time period → happening every other time period

alternate + noun (rows, lines, colours) → arranged in a skipping pattern

an alternate (for someone) → a substitute person

alternate route/plan → backup option (American usage)

Collocations

4 collocations

alternate between

switch back and forth between two things

alternate route

a different path to the same destination

on alternate days

every other day

alternate version

a different form of the same thing

Example Sentences

12 examples

1

The weather has been alternating between sunshine and heavy rain all week

The conditions have been switching repeatedly from bright skies to downpours throughout the week.

2

We have meetings on alternate Fridays — this week yes, next week no

We gather every other Friday — one week we meet, the following week we don’t.

3

The quilt was made with alternating squares of blue and white fabric

The blanket was created using patches of azure and pale material in a switching pattern.

4

Her mood alternated between hope and despair throughout the ordeal

Her emotional state switched repeatedly from optimism to hopelessness during the difficult experience.

5

The two singers alternated verses, each taking a turn

The pair of vocalists took turns performing sections, switching back and forth.

6

In the exercise, you alternate lifting your left and right legs

During the workout, you switch repeatedly between raising one limb then the other.

7

The film alternates between flashbacks and present-day scenes

The movie switches repeatedly from memories to current-time sequences.

8

We share childcare on alternate days — I take Monday, she takes Tuesday

We divide looking after children every other day — I’m responsible one day, she handles the next.

9

The coach named her as an alternate in case any player was injured

The trainer designated her as a substitute in the event that any team member was hurt.

10

Good writing alternates between short, punchy sentences and longer, flowing ones

Effective prose switches between brief, impactful statements and extended, smooth expressions.

Learner Examples

★

In class, I try to alternate between speaking activities and quieter tasks — constant talking exhausts students, but only silent work becomes boring

During lessons, I attempt to switch between verbal exercises and calmer activities — continuous oral practice drains learners, but exclusively quiet work becomes tedious.

★

Effective language learning alternates between input and output — you need to receive language through reading and listening, then produce it through speaking and writing

Successful language acquisition switches between receiving and creating — you must absorb through texts and audio, then generate through talking and composing.