Alternate vs Substitute
Alternate and Substitute are two words that are often confused as referring to one and the same meaning. Strictly speaking there is ample difference between the two.
Alternate is the term used to convey the idea of ‘succeeding by turns’. It only means one following the other in succession of time or place. On the other hand the word ‘substitute’ should be understood in the sense of ‘replacement’. This is one of the main differences between the two words.
It is interesting to note that the word ‘alternate’ also means ‘by turns first one and then the other’. On the other hand the word ‘substitute’ means ‘one that takes the place of the other’.
The word ‘alternate’ is thus reciprocal in use and sense. On the other hand the word ‘substitute’ is not used in the sense of reciprocal. This is also an important difference between the two words.
Some of the best examples of alternate are odd number of the numerals, even numbers of the numerals, every other day in a week and the like. In other words it can be said that the word ‘alternate’ gives the meaning of ‘every other’ or ‘every second object, thing or a statement’.
Take a look at the two sentences given below:
1. He goes to the temple every alternate Monday.
2. He should take the medicine on alternate days.
In the sentences given above you would find that the word ‘alternate’ is used in the sense of ‘every other’ or ‘every second one’. This is the right usage of the word ‘alternate’.
On the other hand the word ‘substitute’ is used in the sense of ‘to put or use a person or a thing in place of another’. Take a look at the following sentences:
1. He occupies the position as a substitute.
2. There is no substitute for hard work.
In the first sentence a player in a game of cricket takes the position of another player who is injured on the field. Hence the word ‘substitute’ is used in the sense of ‘put a person in place of another’. In the second sentence the word ‘substitute’ is used in the sense of ‘taking the place of the other’. The meaning that you get from the sentence is that ‘Nothing can take the place of hard work for that matter’. The two words should be used with precision.