English-French translations for alternative

• alternative
  Peut-on trouver des formes alternatives? Can alternative forms be found?
  Nous devons adopter des politiques alternatives. We need to adopt alternative policies.
  Qu'adviendra-t-il en l'absence d'alternative? What happens if there are no alternatives?
• alternatif
  Gestionnaires de fonds d'investissement alternatifs ( Alternative investment fund managers (
  Existe-t-il des systèmes alternatifs ? Are there any alternative systems?
  Gestionnaires de fonds d'investissement alternatifs (débat) Alternative investment fund managers (debate)
• autre
  Quelles autres options seront examinées? What alternatives are to be analysed?
  Y a-t-il d'autres possibilités de sanction? Are there alternative sanctions?
  En cas d'échec, nous chercherons d'autres solutions. If it fails, we will look for alternatives.
• non conventionnel
  La vaste gamme des médecines complémentaires et non conventionnelles a besoin d'une législation commune au sein de l'Union européenne. The spectrum of alternative and supplementary medicine requires common legislation in EU territory.
  Je pense également qu'il est essentiel de raccourcir les procédures de déploiement des projets destinés à trouver des sources d'énergie alternatives et non conventionnelles. I also believe that it is essential to shorten the procedures for rolling out projects aimed at finding alternative and unconventional sources of energy.
  Madame le Président, je remercie M. Lannoye pour son excellent rapport et pour la manière dont il abordé les problèmes liés aux médecines non conventionnelles. Madam President, I should like to thank Mr Lannoye for his good report and for highlighting the problems associated with alternative medicine.
• solution de rechange
  Pour parvenir à une solution de rechange, il faut près de 10 ans. To achieve an alternative takes up to ten years.
  Ce n’est pas une solution de rechange à la perspective d’une adhésion. It is not an alternative to the prospect of membership.
  Il n'y a pas d'autre choix que M. Barroso, aucune solution de rechange n'ayant été envisagée sérieusement. There is no other choice but Mr Barroso; no alternative solution has been seriously considered.

Definition of alternative

• Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities. cf. OED: "Stating or offering the one or the other of two things of which either may be taken." cf. also in OED: "Of two things: Such that one or the other may be chosen, the choice of either involving the rejection of the other. " --
• Other; different from something else. OED: "ellipt. The other , which may be chosen instead." --
• Alternate, reciprocal. cf. OED: "Characterized by alternation; alternate." --
• A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
• One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen.
• The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted.

Examples

• an alternative proposition
• alternative conjunctions like or

Related words

• alternatively
• alternativeness
• alternativity
• alternativism
• alternativeless
• alternative medicine
• alternative hypothesis
• alternative algebra
• alternative dispute resolution