What's the difference between the words "alternate" and "alternative"?

Question

And could someone tell me the difference between "built-in" and "in-built" with their respective uses?

Answer 1

alternate:
[n] someone who takes the place of another person
[adj] (botany) of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired; "stems with alternate leaves"
[adj] allowing a choice; "an alternative plan"
[v] reverse, as of direction, attitude, or course of action
[v] do something in turns; "We take turns on the night shift"
[v] go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
[v] be an understudy or alternate for a role
[v] exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions

alternative:
[n] an alternative action; "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse"
[adj] necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities; "`either' and `or' in `either this or that'"
[adj] pertaining to unconventional choices; "an alternative life style"
[adj] allowing a choice; "an alternative plan"

built-in:
[adj] existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; "the Ptolemaic system with its built-in concept of periodicity"; "a constitutional inability to tell the truth"

Answer 2

Alternate is a verb: Event A alternates with event B, meaning A happens after B and then B takes place and then again A and so forth.
Alternative: Its an adjective: A is an alternative to B, meaning that A can be used in place of B.
Built-in: Something (subset) already added in another body (set) (or, simply put, included). Example: The swimming pool is built-in to the apartment.
In-built: Part of: Example; The safe is in-built to the wall of the bed room.

Answer 3

Alternate is more commonly used as a verb, for example: "I only ever feel either happy or sad. My mood alternates."Alternative is only ever used as a noun, such as "I had no other alternative."

As for built-in and in-built, both have the same meaning, think of them as1+2 and 2+1. That said, in-built is a lot less common and generally not recognised by dictionaries and whatnot; built-in is.

Answer 4

Alternate means to change something around. Alternate the stock for example means to change the stuff on the grocery store shelf. Alternative is like an alternative motive. I had no other alternative as in I had no other choice. He changes his mind and has a new idea.
Built-in is like the stove is buit into the wall.
I have to admit you got me thinking on this one.

Answer 5

to have an alternate way of playing basketball is without a tree an alternative would be to a pole with a glass backing.. a built in spa into the back of an auto and in built would be a spa within an auto ?

Answer 6

to alternate is a verb, and an alternative is a noun.

an alternative is a person who alternates. I think. XD

Answer 7

alternate= to replace one another. (v)
my brother and his wife alternate baby sitting for our little sister.
or: another, that comes instead of (adj).
i like the alternate vacation plan better than the original one.
or: every other one
answer only the alternate questions.

alternative= option ,to choose.(n)
if we don't walk the alternative is to take the bus.

Answer 8

Like is defined in terms of more of a crush or affection/fondness. Love is the outworking of your truest feelings in your actions and behavior. If you really love someone, you strive to put their needs above your own. You might do that too if you like someone, but it's not a long term thing. Good luck! Hope this helped.

Answer 9

to Alternate is to change from one choice to the next.
Alternative is taking a final choice

Answer 10

"alternate" is "instead of" such as alternate side of the street parking----"alternative" is just a different spin on something as in music or food preferences,lifestyles,etc...etc..