# alternately

/ˈɔɫtɝnətɫi/ (US) · /ɔːltˈɜːnətlˌi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/alternately
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The lights flash red and green alternately.
- During the experiment, the subjects were exposed to heat and cold alternately to measure their skin's reaction time.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He worked alternatively on the two projects." but "He worked alternately on the two projects." — Learners confuse 'alternately' (taking turns) with 'alternatively' (offering a choice between two things).

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.