alternation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “alternation” mean?
The successive occurrence of two or more things in turns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The successive occurrence of two or more things in turns; a repeated sequence or pattern of change between two or more states, options, or actions.
In linguistics, a variation in the phonetic or morphological form of a morpheme depending on its phonological or grammatical context (e.g., sing/sang/sung). In fields like mathematics, it can refer to a specific pattern or sequence, such as alternating series.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal British academic writing, but this is marginal.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily used in technical, scientific, or formal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alternation” in a Sentence
alternation between X and Yalternation of X with Ythe alternation of Xan/the alternation in XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alternation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The teams will alternate weekly.
- He alternates between confidence and anxiety.
American English
- The schedule alternates between day and night shifts.
- She alternated her major between biology and chemistry.
adverb
British English
- The meetings are held alternately in London and Edinburgh.
American English
- The chapters are written alternately from each character's perspective.
adjective
British English
- They met on alternate Tuesdays.
- The pattern featured alternate blue and red stripes.
American English
- We take alternate routes to avoid traffic.
- He served on the committee in alternate years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to shift patterns, leadership changes, or cyclical market trends (e.g., 'the alternation of boom and bust cycles').
Academic
Common in linguistics, biology (e.g., alternation of generations), physics, mathematics, and literary analysis of themes.
Everyday
Rare. Might describe changing weather patterns or taking turns in a casual game.
Technical
Precise term in phonology for sound changes, in electricity for alternating current (AC), and in mathematics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alternation”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alternation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alternation”
- Using 'alternation' to mean a single change or a simple difference (use 'change' or 'difference').
- Confusing 'alternation' (pattern) with 'alternative' (an option).
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (*AL-ter-nation) instead of the third (al-ter-NA-tion).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Alternation' is a noun describing a repeated sequence (e.g., the alternation of seasons). 'Alternative' is primarily a noun or adjective meaning another possible option or choice (e.g., an alternative route).
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word more common in formal, academic, and technical registers. In everyday speech, people are more likely to use simpler terms like 'taking turns', 'switching', or 'changing back and forth'.
It can, but the term strongly implies a repeated, ongoing pattern, not just a single instance of change followed by a return. A one-off switch is better described as a 'change' or 'swap'.
It is a life cycle in plants and some algae where there is a multicellular haploid stage (gametophyte) and a multicellular diploid stage (sporophyte) that succeed each other.
The successive occurrence of two or more things in turns.
Alternation is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Alternation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltəˈneɪʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltərˈneɪʃn/ /ˌɑːltərˈneɪʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The alternation of the seasons”
- “The swing of the pendulum (conceptual idiom for regular alternation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ALTERNATE' + '-TION' – an ALTERNATIVE action happening again and again, forming a pattern.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CYCLE OF ALTERNATIONS (e.g., day/night, work/rest).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'alternation' used to describe a specific type of morphological change?