What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interleave
Example
The pages of the book were interleaved with glossy photos. [interleaved: past participle]
Example
The baker interleaved layers of cake and frosting to create a beautiful dessert. [interleaving: present participle]
alternate
Example
We alternate between watching movies and playing board games on Friday nights. [alternate: verb]
Example
The team wore alternate jerseys for the away games. [alternate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alternate is more commonly used than interleave in everyday language. Alternate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while interleave is less common and often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interleave and alternate?
Both interleave and alternate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but interleave may be perceived as more technical or specialized than alternate.
