in the alternative

adjective | \ ȯl-ˈtər-nə-tiv, al- \ | al·ter·na·tive

1. : alternate 1

2. : offering or expressing a choice an alternative contract — see also alternative pleading at pleading 1b

3. : existing or functioning outside the established system; also : different from the usual or conventional alternative sentencing : different from the usual or conventional alternative sentencing

noun

1. : a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen

2. a : one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen

   b : something which can be chosen instead