1. to happen or exist one after the other repeatedly
輪流發生；交替出現
The weather alternates between sunshine and rain.
天氣在陽光和雨水之間交替變化。
He alternates between confidence and anxiety.
他在自信和焦慮之間交替。
Alternate Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
alternate
verb
快速理解
What does "Alternate" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Alternate"?
「alternate」作動詞時，主要指兩種事物或狀態有規律地輪流出現或交替進行。
- 1
輪流；交替
EN: to happen or exist one after the other repeatedly
翻譯: 有規律地一個接一個發生或存在
- 2
使交替；使輪換
EN: to cause things or people to take turns
翻譯: 使事物或人員輪流替換
- 3
間隔出現
EN: to occur or do something on every other instance (e.g., alternate days)
翻譯: 每隔一次發生或做某事（例如：每隔一天）
小提醒：注意「alternate」作動詞時發音為 /ˈɔːltərneɪt/，重音在第一音節，與形容詞 /ɔːlˈtɜːrnət/ 的重音位置不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Alternate" in English）
How to pronounce "Alternate" in English?"Alternate" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Alternate" from YouTube Videos
Impossible photography | Erik Johansson
TED
“I just see it as a puzzle of reality where you can take different pieces of reality and put it together to create alternate reality.”
(1 out of 8)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Alternate"?How does "Alternate" change by context?
2. to do or use one thing and then another, taking turns
輪流做；交替使用
We alternate who drives on long trips.
在長途旅行中，我們輪流開車。
The coach alternates players to keep them fresh.
教練輪換球員以保持他們的體力。
3. to change from one thing to another and back again
來回變換；更迭
The pattern alternates red and blue stripes.
這個圖案是紅藍條紋相間。
She alternated her gaze between the two documents.
她的目光在兩份文件之間來回移動。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Alternate"?How to make natural sentences with "Alternate"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| alternate between A and B | 在 A 與 B 之間交替 | She alternates between optimism and despair. (她在樂觀與絕望之間交替。) |
| alternate with something | 與某事物輪流/交替出現 | Periods of sunshine alternated with heavy rain. (晴朗的天氣與大雨交替出現。) |
| alternate as + noun | 輪流擔任… | The two actors will alternate as the lead in the play. (這兩位演員將輪流擔任劇中的主角。) |
| alternate days/weeks/etc. | 每隔一天/一週等 | The clinic is open on alternate days. (這間診所每隔一天開門。) |
| alternate + noun (e.g., shifts, turns) | 輪流做… | The team members alternate shifts to cover 24 hours. (團隊成員輪流值班以涵蓋24小時。) |
用法說明
How is "Alternate" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Alternate"?
alternate between vs. alternate with
- alternate between A and B 強調在兩個（或多個）特定選項之間輪流切換。
- alternate A with B 強調將A與B交替安排或搭配使用，結構上A和B是直接賓語。
- alternate doing 是常見用法，表示輪流進行不同的活動。
- alternate to do 的用法極不常見，通常不正確，應避免使用。 EN: The coach alternates between running drills and strength training. 翻譯: 教練在跑步訓練和力量訓練之間輪換。
EN:The coach alternates running drills with strength training.
翻譯:教練將跑步訓練與力量訓練交替安排。
EN:She alternated studying French and German each night.
翻譯:她每晚輪流學習法文和德文。
EN:She alternated to study French and German each night.
翻譯:她每晚輪流去學習法文和德文。
總結建議
在表示「輪流做某事」時，請使用 alternate between... 或 alternate...with... 的結構，並搭配動名詞（-ing形式）。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Alternate" and similar words?How to choose "Alternate" vs alternatives?
alternate vs alternative
「alternate」強調輪流、交替的動作或狀態；「alternative」則指可供選擇的不同方案或替代品。
alternate vs rotate
「alternate」通常指兩個特定事物有規律地輪替；「rotate」則可指多個事物依序循環，或物體繞軸轉動。
alternate vs switch
「alternate」指有規律、持續性的輪流；「switch」則是一次性或暫時性的轉換或改變。
口語用法
How is "Alternate" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Alternate"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或轉述一個輪流進行的安排或提議時，常用 "alternate"。 EN: So then she said, "Why don't we alternate driving every two hours?" 翻譯: 然後她就說：「我們何不每兩小時輪流開車？」
EN:He was like, "We can alternate between your place and mine."
翻譯:他就說：「我們可以輪流在你家和我家。」
語氣強調
為了強調輪流的公平性或規律性，會加重 "alternate" 的語氣，或與 "just"、"always" 等詞連用。 EN: We just need to alternate the chores, that's all. 翻譯: 我們只需要輪流做家事，就這樣。
EN:They always alternate who picks the movie.
翻譯:他們總是輪流決定要看什麼電影。
停頓填充
在描述計劃或安排時，"alternate" 有時會作為一個思考中的填充詞，後面再接更具體說明。 EN: The plan is to... alternate... you know, maybe one cooks and the other cleans. 翻譯: 計劃是…輪流…你知道的，可能一個人煮飯，另一個人洗碗。
EN:We could, uh, alternate the meeting days—Tuesdays one week, Thursdays the next.
翻譯:我們可以，呃，輪流開會的日子—這週二，下週四。
正式寫作注意：在正式書面語中，應避免使用上述口語中的停頓填充（如 "you know", "uh"）以及過於隨意的引述方式（如 "He was like..."）。建議使用更完整、結構清晰的句子來表達輪替的概念。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Alternate"?What fixed phrases with "Alternate" should I remember?
alternate between
alternate between A and B
在A和B之間交替、輪流
alternate with
A alternates with B
A與B輪流出現、交替發生
on alternate days
on alternate days
每隔一天、在隔天
alternate shifts
alternate shifts / work alternate shifts
輪班
alternate driving
alternate driving (the driving)
輪流駕駛
alternate responsibility
alternate responsibility (for)
輪流負責
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Alternate"?Which "Alternate" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×We need an alternate for the meeting.
✓We need an alternative for the meeting.
作為動詞的 'alternate' 意思是「輪流、交替」。當想表達「替代方案、替代者」時，應使用名詞 'alternative'。在美式英語中，'alternate' 可作名詞表示「候補者」，但此用法易混淆，學習者建議優先使用 'alternative' 表達「替代選項」。
×The manager alternated two employees for the task.
✓The manager alternated between two employees for the task.
當表達在兩者或多者之間輪流、交替時，動詞 'alternate' 常與介系詞 'between' 連用。缺少 'between' 會使句子語意不清，聽起來像是經理「更換了」員工，而非讓他們輪流工作。
×I alternate coffee instead of tea in the morning.
✓I alternate coffee with tea in the morning.
動詞 'alternate' 表示「輪流、交替」時，搭配的介系詞是 'with'（A alternates with B），而非 'instead of'（代替）。'Instead of' 用於表示完全取代，而非輪流進行的概念。
×The lights are alternatting every few seconds.
✓The lights are alternating every few seconds.
動詞 'alternate' 的現在分詞和動名詞形式為 'alternating'，只需在字尾加上 '-ing'，因為原形動詞以不發音的 '-e' 結尾，且 '-e' 前是子音 't'。常見錯誤是雙寫 't' 再加 '-ing'。
×I need to alternate my password for security reasons.
✓I need to change my password for security reasons.
'Alternate' 強調的是有規律地、週期性地在兩個或多個事物之間輪換。而單純地「更換、改變」某物，應使用 'change'。更換密碼是一次性的動作，並非輪流使用多組密碼，因此用 'change' 才正確。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Alternate"?What are tense/participle forms of "Alternate"?
alternates(3rd_singular)alternating(present_participle)alternated(past)alternated(past_participle)