Alternative is for when there are two ways to go. Example: "I could have traveled down the path on the right which is longer but easy, as an alternative I could have traveled down the path on the left which is shorter by more difficult" Option is for when you have several ways. Example: "The customer service agent provided me with 3 options: I could return the merchandise for store credit; I could pick up a new item; I could keep this item but get 10% of what I paid as a refund." Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_to_use_option_vs_alternative#ixzz1ysmSTk2a