adj 可供选择的，另一的(allowing a choice of a second possibility)[无comp][作at-trib]：an～form/system/newspaper 另一种形式/体系/报纸;suggest two ～plans 提出两种供选择的方案;develop～energy sources 开发多种能源;offer ～men 提供人选;make an～arrangement 作另一种安排;find～means of transport/explanations 找到别种运输工具/解释;have an～suggestion 有另外的建议;There is an～way of getting there/treatment for the illness.去那里还有一条路/那病还有一种治法。There are～ways of expressing the idea/answers to the question.表达这个想法有多种方式/这个问题有多种答案。There is no～route.没有别的路线。The～possibilities are neutrality or war.有两种选择的可能：或者中立，或者参战。～question/conjunctions 选择问句/选择连词;

→ al′ternatively adv 两者选一地;

n(1)选择(余地)(choice between two or more possibilities)[C]：You have the～of fighting or being taken prisoner/marrying or remain-ing a bachelor/a fine or two months in prison.你可以选择战斗或者被俘/结婚或者独身/罚款或者坐两个月牢。The～is between increased taxes or a budget deficit. 或者增加税收，或者预算亏空，两者择其一。Do we have any～in the case? 在这种情况下我们有选择的余地吗?We have no～in the matter.这事我们别无选择。have no～but to confess/to go by plane别无选择，只好承认/乘飞机去;leave no～(but to dismiss Tom)别无选择(只有解雇汤姆);There is no～but to fight/to go out.别无选择，只有战斗/出去。There is but one～：we must leave. 只有一种选择：我们得离开。〖同〗choice，option，selection;

(2)可供选择的事物(things one can choose out of two or more possibilities)[C][N(to)]：What is (are) the～(s) to going home? 不回家，那干什么? The (only)～to being taken prisoner is to die fighting.不当俘虏，就(只有)战死。One of the～s open to you is to surrender.你面临的选择之一是投降。I don't like fish.Is there an～on the menu? 我不爱吃鱼，菜单上还有别的菜可选吗?There is no other～.别无其他办法。There are several～s to your plan.除了你的计划，还有几个别的计划可供选择。What～s are there/are left to her? 有/她有什么可供选择的?

←′alternate v(使)交替(轮流);adj交替(轮流)的;每隔……的;⇨͵alter′nation n 交替(轮流);͵alter′nator 交流发电机;′alternately adv 交替(轮流)地;

【说明】alternative原指两者择一，但现常可用来指多个中择一。alternative to后接可替代的另一选择，如：The alternative to riding is walking.(不乘车就得步行。)alternative of后接具体说明alternative内涵的词语，如：the alternative of riding or walking(选择乘车或步行)。the alternative of后用or连接两种选择的余地或权利(而不是具体可供选择的事物，见上例及(1));the alternatives of后用and连接两个可供具体选择的事物，如：the alternatives of gas and candles(选择煤气和蜡烛)。

【辨异】alternative与choice和option都可表示“选择”。alternative指必须作出的严肃选择，且仅有两者可选，常用于否定句，表示别无它择之意;而choice(选择;选择的可能性)则指客观的多种选择可能性，可任选，也可以完全不选。如：You have no alternative about whether or not to work，but you do have a choice of jobs.(你无法选择是否工作，但你可以选择干什么工作。)但注意，在语言的实际运用中，have several alternatives to choose from的说法是很常见的;与此同时，have no choice but to do sth的说法也广泛采用(此处本该用alternative)。option(选择权，选择自由;可供选择的事物)强调选择的自由权利和特权，如：exercise one's option(行使选择权利)。