meaning - Difference between "alternate" and "alternative"





“Alternately” or “alternatively”



What is the difference between alternate and alternative? For example, I have two versions of the same software and I want to write one of the following:



Software Name (alternate version)


Software Name (alternative version)




Answer



In British English, an alternative version is one that can be considered as a possible choice, while an alternate one changes places at regular intervals with another version. However, I understand that in American English ‘alternate’ is an alternative to ‘alternative’.


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