only alternative
collocation in Englishmeaningsofonlyandalternative
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withalternative.
only
adjective[before noun]
uk/ˈəʊn.li/us/ˈoʊn.li/
used to show that there is a single one or very few of something, or that there are ...
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alternative
noun[C]
uk/ɒlˈtɜː.nə.tɪv/us/ɑːlˈtɝː.nə.t̬ɪv/
something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility ...
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(Definition ofonlyandalternativefrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofonly alternative
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Heart-lung transplantation would appear to be theonlyalternative, although availability of organs and the known long-term effects of anti-rejection therapy may prove unsurmountable obstacles.
From theCambridge English Corpus
If theonlyalternativeto unconditional non-cooperation were a policy of unconditional cooperation, then the parties would will that everyone cooperate.
From theCambridge English Corpus
They poignantly added that itsonlyalternativeis ' the destruction of the radically infirm' (1992 : 57-8).
From theCambridge English Corpus
Theonlyalternative, however, appears to be for him to go on the attack and argue for the superiority or truth of the liberal position.
From theCambridge English Corpus
For many years theonlyalternativewas to risk prescriptivist disapproval by using a singular they.
From theCambridge English Corpus
He is unequivocal that this was theonlyalternative, given his inability to gain employment.
From theCambridge English Corpus
It does, because otherwise we are left with theonlyalternativeoption of teaching logic on a mass scale.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Theonlyalternativeis the non-existence of language.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Although its safe development may be uncertain, itsonlyalternativeis not to exist at all.
From theCambridge English Corpus
For theonlyalternativeway in which it could be true is if it were the consequence of facts about the past and present.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Second, theonlyalternativeto waiting for the implementation of reforms is to adopt a liberalized euthanasia policy now.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Theonlyalternativeis a program anchored by an admission that cognition is more than computation.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Without some experience of home-help services, they may see institutional care as theonlyalternative.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Theonlyalternativeseems to be to make all types fully concrete at interfaces where rebinding may occur.
From theCambridge English Corpus
These are not theonlyalternativelessons the novel invites.
From theCambridge English Corpus
However, theonlyalternativetechnique that can give greater accuracy for parasite abundance is necropsy, which is not possible in working dogs or pets.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Some kind of government is at all times an absolute necessity as theonlyalternativeto anarchy.
From theCambridge English Corpus
This is often difficult to document but this does not mean that theonlyalternativeis chaos theory.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Nevertheless, for very large problems direct methods may be unviable or too expensive, and iterative methods may be theonlyalternative.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Theonlyalternativeto direct repair of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract is to bypass the obstruction with a left ventriculoaortic conduit.
From theCambridge English Corpus
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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