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I think the answer is, it doesn't matter (i.e. they mean similar enough things for the distinction not to matter). I'm sure someone will look it up though –  Matt E. Эллен Jul 24 '11 at 15:49

3 Answers 3

up vote 22 down vote accepted


I love pizza and Mexican food, I eat them alternately.


I love pizza but alternatively I eat Mexican.


Alternately is about switching. Alternatively is about enumerating options.

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Your answer describes British English usage very well. In my observation, Americans have a greater tendency to use 'alternately' in both senses (although this is by no means universal – many of them observe the same distinction that is made in British English usage). –  Erik Kowal Dec 25 '14 at 10:53




with examples from 1776.


  1. Characterized by alternation; alternating, alternate.


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Very good Colin. I think, although this is a good point, alteriantily I think it's wrong –  bilbo baggins Sep 18 '14 at 9:36

a traffic sign that reads "alternate route" is not telling you to use the opposite route as last time every time you come to the same sign on the road. this is not the same as the action 'to alternate' (verb)

an alternate route or alternate plan or alternate contingency do not flip back and forth between opposing states in any way. The only alternate plan I have is to take the first off-ramp. (adjective) Taking the first off-ramp is my only alternative. (noun)

if alternative in this sentence means 'alternate plan' then 'alternative plan' means 'alternate plan plan' american english seems full of terms from technical jargon that originated from proper english, but have come to replace it.

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protected by tchrist Feb 22 at 0:17


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