ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alternative to sth

prep. phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. another choice or a different way of doing something when you do not want the first option.

prep. phr.. a noun phrase indicating a substitute or a secondary option that can replace a primary one; functions as a complement to the noun 'alternative'.


SIMPLE

Is there an alternative to this plan?

CONTEXTUAL

Many people are looking for an alternative to driving because petrol prices are so high.

COMPLEX

The committee is currently investigating a viable alternative to the proposed legislation to avoid further public backlash.

Usage

the preposition 'to' is required before the noun or gerund that is being replaced.

Teaching tip

remind students that 'alternative' can be both a noun and an adjective; when used as a noun followed by a choice, 'to' is the standard collocated preposition.

Pitfall

an alternative of drivingan alternative to drivingEnglish uses the preposition 'to' rather than 'of' when introducing the thing being replaced by an alternative.

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