ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alternately

adv. manner
C1 Advanced US //ˈɔɫtɝnətɫi// UK //ɔːltˈɜːnətlˌi// al·ter·nate·ly

adv. happening one after the other in a repeating pattern. You use this when two things take turns.

adv. in a manner that involves two things succeeding each other in a regular, repeating sequence. Often describes a pattern where two distinct states or objects take turns.


SIMPLE

The lights flash red and green alternately.

CONTEXTUAL

During the experiment, the subjects were exposed to heat and cold alternately to measure their skin's reaction time.

COMPLEX

The novel is structured so that the chapters are narrated alternately by the two main protagonists, providing contrasting perspectives on the same series of events.

Origin

From alternate + -ly.

Usage

Typically follows the verb or the object it modifies to describe the sequence of action.

Pitfall

He worked alternatively on the two projects.He worked alternately on the two projects.Learners confuse 'alternately' (taking turns) with 'alternatively' (offering a choice between two things).

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