Is use of the word "alternative" in the following sentence redundant?
After examining the different types of beer on the menue, Joe took several minutes to consider his alternative options before ordering...
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6Using "alternative" there suggests "options as opposed to his beer options" .. there are beer options, then there are other options. If he were just selecting a type of beer, yes it would be redundant and also confusing.– Tom22Commented May 13, 2017 at 2:46
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1I think the intended sense would usually be inferred, but also a clumsiness detected. '[T]o consider his options' itself sounds rather heavy-duty here. How about '... Joe took several minutes making his mind up' or 'Joe took several minutes before deciding what he would order'?– Edwin AshworthCommented May 13, 2017 at 9:02
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2 Answers
Using "alternative" there suggests "options as opposed to his beer options" .. there are beer options, then there are other options. If he were just selecting a type of beer, yes it would be redundant and also confusing.
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I wouldn't say it "suggests" that. I'd say that's one way of interpreting it.– AndyTCommented Jul 12, 2017 at 8:58
In this example, I would choose either "alternatives" or "options", but not both. A more frequently used word in casual language might be "choices".
To say "alternative options" tends to imply that someone has made a tentative choice but is considering additional choices.
