Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #4030
alternatively
或者；要不
as another option; in a different way
- 1.
in an alternative way
以另一种方式。
以另一种方式。；非此即彼
In use
You can take the train; alternatively, you can drive there.
We could go hiking this weekend. Alternatively, we could stay home and watch movies.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday. Alternatively, it could be held on Wednesday if that suits you better.
Alternatively, [clause]
Alternatively, you can take the bus.
或者，你可以乘公交车。
[clause]; alternatively, [clause]
分号前后连接两个并列的选择。
We could go to the park; alternatively, we could stay home.
我们可以去公园；或者，我们也可以待在家里。
[subject] could alternatively [verb]
置于句中，修饰动词。
You could alternatively take the train.
你也可以乘火车。
Common mistakes
You can take the bus alternatively you can walk.You can take the bus, or alternatively you can walk.
中文学习者常将 'alternatively' 当作连词使用，连接两个选项，但在英语中它是个副词，需要在前一句后加逗号或分号，或用 'or' 连接。正确的用法是将其作为插入语或状语。
The traffic lights turned red and green alternatively.The traffic lights turned red and green alternately.
汉语中'交替'对应英语的 'alternately'（表示轮流发生），而 'alternatively' 表示'或者、作为另一种选择'。此处描述红绿灯轮流变换，应用 'alternately'。
Connections
Collocations
- alternatively you could
- 或者你可以
- You could take the train, or alternatively you could drive.你可以坐火车，或者你可以开车。
- alternatively consider
- 或者考虑
- Alternatively consider a different approach.或者考虑一种不同的方法。
- alternatively try
- 或者尝试
- You can add sugar, or alternatively try honey.你可以加糖，或者尝试蜂蜜。
- alternatively use
- 或者使用
- You can use butter, or alternatively use margarine.你可以用黄油，或者使用人造黄油。
- alternatively there is
- 或者有
- We could go to the beach, or alternatively there is a park nearby.我们可以去海滩，或者附近有个公园。
- alternatively perhaps
Learner notes
Memory Tip
把alternatively想成'或者'的选择，就像分叉路口二选一。
Context & Register
语域：中性 多用于提出第二个选项，在大多数正式和非正式语境中均适用。
Grammar Note
通常用于句首或句末，连接两个并列的选项。
Pronunciation & Spelling
No common words rhyme with 'alternatively' (stressed vowel /ɜːr/). Words like 'relatively' (/ˈrɛlətɪvli/), 'positively' (/ˈpɑzətɪvli/), and 'actively' (/ˈæktɪvli/) have stress on the first syllable and different vowel sounds. 'Effectively' (/ɪˈfɛktɪvli/) and 'creatively' (/kriˈeɪtɪvli/) have stress on the second syllable but with different vowels.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.