alternate
verb (used without object)
to interchange repeatedly and regularly with one another in time or place; rotate (usually followed bywith ).
was alternating
-
past progressiveof alternate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The camera view was alternating between the wildlife and the individual,” explained Washington.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Cleveland was alternating Garrett from one side to the other by series.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2023
Breen was alternating in Hyundai's third car with Spaniard Dani Sordo this year and was scheduled to make his second appearance of the WRC season in Croatia.
From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2023
I didn’t get to see any of the parade that year because I was alternating between yelling and sobbing and texting my friends about how terrible it all was.
From Slate ● Aug. 13, 2018
Mrs. Abbot was alternating between a basket of sewing and a well-worn, cheap-edition novel.
From The Story of the Foss River Ranch A Tale of the Northwest by Ridgwell Cullum
