al·ter·na·tive
noun OPAL W
/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv/
/ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
- a thing that you can choose to do or have out of two or more possibilities
可供选择的事物 - The car is too expensive so we're trying to find a cheaper alternative.
这种车太贵,我们想另选一辆便宜的。 - There is a vegetarian alternative on the menu every day.
每天的菜单上另有素食餐点。 - We had no alternative but to fire Gibson.
我们别无他法,只有辞退吉布森。 - to offer/provide an alternative
提供/提供替代方案 - alternative to something Does this offer a viable alternative to the existing system?
这是否为现有系统提供了一个可行的替代品? - as an alternative to something Fruit juice is provided as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.
备有果汁作为酒精饮料以外的选择。 - alternative for somebody This treatment is the only alternative for some patients.
对于某些患者来说,这种治疗是唯一的选择。
Synonyms optionoptionchoice ▪ alternative ▪ possibilityThese are all words for something that you choose to do in a particular situation.option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do:- As I see it, we have two options…
据我看,我们有两种选择… - Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year.
学生在二年级时可以选择出国学习。
- If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow.
如果让我选择,我明天就停止工作。 - There is a wide range of choices open to you.
你有很多选择。
- You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives.
你的工资可以按周以现金支取,或按月以支票支取。二者可选其一。
- We need to explore a wide range of possibilities.
我们需要探究各种可能的情况。 - The possibilities are endless.
有无数种可能的做法。
- with/without the option/choice/possibility of something
- a(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternative
- the only option/choice/alternative/possibility open to somebody
- to have a/an/the option/choice of doing something
- to have no option/choice/alternative but to do something
- a number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilities
Extra ExamplesTopics Preferences and decisionsa2- His idea seemed to offer a possible alternative.
他的想法似乎提供了另一种可能的选择。 - Is there an alternative to surgery for this complaint?
除了手术外,这种毛病还有其他治疗方法吗? - There is no alternative for those with no car of their own.
没有私家车的人就没有选择余地了。 - They are seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.
他们正在寻找化石燃料的替代物。 - We'll have to find an alternative.
我们必须找到替代品。 - a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks
比起泡饮料更健康的另一选择 - seeking alternatives to nuclear power
寻找核能的替代物 - We can agree to their terms or else pull out of the deal completely: those are the two alternatives.
我们可以同意他们的条款,或者完全退出交易:这是两种选择。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- attractive
- effective
- good
- …
- have
- offer
- provide
- …
- be available
- exist
- alternative for
- alternative to
- have little alternative (but to)
- have no alternative (but to)
- leave somebody with no alternative (but to)
- …
Word Originmid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘alternating, alternate’): from French alternatif, -ive or medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternare ‘interchange’, from alternus ‘every other’, from alter ‘other’. - The car is too expensive so we're trying to find a cheaper alternative.