Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Bubu]

Hello !!

What is the difference between 'substitute' and 'alternative'. One of my students asked me this evening. I explained to him that all substitues are alternatives but not all alternatives are substitutes. Was I correct?

Thanks

[bud]

Hmm... I suppose that is a reasonable thing to say.

A substitute is something or someone that is used in place of something or someone else. You could think of it as an alternative.

An alternative is very similar to a choice, but sometimes possibly a choice that is not the most usual. Often, though, it is used as a synonym for choice. Certainly not all choices are substitutes.

[Bob S.]

I would say a substitute would be something close that has a similar effect. An alternative would be a substitute that could have a completely different effect.

E.g.
In baking, you can substitute margarine for butter because it has less cholesterol. A substitute because it has somewhat similar texture and flavor.

You can substitute Splenda for sugar because it has less calories. Again, somewhat similar taste effect.

The dinner comes with a salad, but you can substitute the soup of the day. Or as an alternative, you can have neither for $1 less from the cost of the entree.