Weekly Language Usage Tips: alternate and alternative, in or by contrast

April 23, 2008

Weekly Language Usage Tips: alternate and alternative, in or by contrast

Tip 1: Alternate vs. alternative

Today’s first tip was inspired by the following headline in Sunday’s Post-Gazette:

“Don’t know much about history

2 new books create alternate views of the past through the selective use of facts Sunday, April 20, 2008 By Bob Hoover, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette”

What the headline should have said is:

“2 new books create alternative views of the past through the selective use of facts”

“Alternate” and “alternative” are NOT synonyms although there is a move in that direction (and some dictionaries will include “alternative” as the 3^rd or 4^th definition of “alternate”). I know language is evolving, but you have to draw the line somewhere. And, for me, the egregious use of “alternate” when one means “alternative” is where I make a stand.

When used as an adjective, “alternate” means “every other” or “a substitute.”

Examples:

We have a standing meeting to discuss the study on alternate Fridays at 4:00 PM.

If this design doesn’t work, I have an alternate design I can show you.

As an adjective, the most common use of “alternative” is “allowing a choice between two or more things.” “Alternative” implies a choice where “alternate” does not.

Examples:

Since this experiment didn’t work out, we have to find alternative approaches.

One alternative plan would be to meet later.

If this design doesn’t work, I have alternative designs I can show you. Compare this with the second example in the first set.

Tip 2: “In contrast” vs. “by contrast”

Someone wrote: “Can you write about “in contrast” vs. “by contrast” sometime?”

Okay, here goes. “In contrast” and “by contrast” mean the same thing: the act of comparing in order to show differences. The difference lies in the way the words are used. “In contrast” is usually followed by “to” or “with” and requires a noun to follow it. “By contrast” is usually followed or preceded by the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

In contrast to the diligent bee, the butterfly flies hither and yon with no apparent purpose.

In contrast with the chorus of birdsongs in my backyard, my front yard is serenaded by the sound of rumbling buses flying down the street.

By contrast, the Picasso is more vibrant and full of life.

The cats will often sleep the day away. The dogs, by contrast, never settle down.

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