Alternation (linguistics)

Alternation in linguistics is kind of like when you have two different ways to say the same word or make the same sound. It's like having two doors to get into your house - you can use either one, but they both lead to the same place.

Sometimes, these different ways of saying things can change a little bit based on the context they're used in. It's like having one door that's easier to open when you're carrying groceries, and another one that's better for when it's raining outside.

Linguists study alternation to try and understand why we say things in different ways and how those different ways can change depending on what we're trying to communicate. It's kind of like being a detective, trying to figure out how language works and why we use it the way we do.