“What’s the alternative?” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "“What’s the alternative?”", is a perfect example of a common crossword trope: the "in-the-language" or "spoken phrase" clue. These clues present a familiar conversational snippet, and the answer is an equally common, often synonymous, phrase. Let's break down how to approach this straightforward but satisfying solve.

Clue Analysis

The clue is presented in quotation marks, signaling that we are looking for a direct quote or a very common saying. The phrase "What's the alternative?" is a question that challenges a current plan or asks for other options when none seem apparent. The solver's task is to find another common phrase that serves the same conversational purpose.

The answer is a two-word question, "How else?", which is condensed into a single entry for the grid. This is a standard crossword convention for short phrases. The clue essentially asks, "What's another way to say this?" and the answer provides a perfect equivalent.

Thinking Approaches

1. Direct Synonymy: The most effective approach here is to think like you're in a conversation. If someone says, "We have to take the main highway," you might respond, "But the traffic is terrible! What's the alternative?" Another way to phrase that response is, "HOW ELSE can we get there?" This mental role-playing can often lead you directly to the answer.

2. Phrase Rephrasing: Try to rephrase the clue in different ways:

   • "Is there another way?"
   • "What other options are there?"
   • "How can we do it differently?" This exercise often surfaces the key words that make up the answer. The word "how" relates to the method, and "else" relates to the alternative.

3. Leverage Crossings: For clues like this, even one or two crossing letters can be a huge help. If you had the initial 'H' and the 'W', your brain would likely jump to "HOW..." very quickly. Similarly, seeing the "...ELSE" at the end would make the first part much easier to deduce.

Background Context

This type of clue has become increasingly popular in modern crosswords, especially those from the New York Times. They test a solver's grasp of colloquial English rather than their knowledge of obscure facts or their ability to decipher complex wordplay. They make the puzzle feel more current and relatable.

Answers like IGUESS, ORSO, NOTI, and HOWELSE are all examples of this trend. They require the solver to recognize that a multi-word phrase needs to be entered as a single string of letters, a fundamental skill for any regular solver.

Conclusion

"“What’s the alternative?”" is a clean, fair, and accessible clue. It rewards solvers for recognizing a common conversational exchange. Once you spot that it's a "spoken phrase" clue, the path to the answer becomes much clearer. It's a great reminder that sometimes the simplest interpretation is the correct one.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a question you might ask when you've run out of ideas or are challenging someone's suggestion.
2. Hint 2: The answer is a two-word phrase often spoken in conversation, but it's entered as a single word in the grid.
3. Hint 3: It's a way of asking for another method or possibility.
4. Hint 4: The first word asks about the manner in which something could be done. The second word means "other" or "different."