I was writing a sentence the other day and I came to a part where I wondered if I should say “alternative approach” or “alternate approach”.

The answer is that alternate approach should only be used when the original approach cannot be used for some reason. If you can choose between the two approaches then the second is an “alternative approach”.

The following sentences provide examples:

  • I couldn’t get it to work so I had to use an alternate approach
  • It was taking too long so I decided to try an alternative approach