Alternative and choice

An alternative is essentially a choice, but it is a serious choice which must be made. By contrast, the word choice implies more freedom. You even have the freedom to make no choice at all.

Consider the example given below:

• For dessert, you have a choice of milkshake or ice cream.

This is not a life-or-death situation and you can choose either or you have the freedom to choose neither if they don’t appeal to you.

Now consider the following sentence.

• The sailor’s only alternatives were to stay with the sinking ship or jump into the icy waters of the sea.

Here we are talking about a life-or-death situation. The sailor has to do one or the other.