This plan is an alternative … the last one

Analyze the question: The sentence tests the correct preposition that follows the word alternative. This is a question on prepositions that go with particular nouns (dependent prepositions).

Explain the concept: The noun alternative takes the preposition to. For example:

• "Solar power is an alternative to fossil fuels."
• "There is no alternative to hard work."

Be careful not to confuse it with different, which can take "from" (e.g., "This plan is different from the last one"). Alternative does not take "from".

Solution, step by step:

1. The blank follows the noun phrase "an alternative".
2. The standard collocation is "alternative to something".
3. Test the options: • A. alternative from: incorrect. • B. alternative to: correct. • C. alternative on: incorrect. • D. alternative against: incorrect.

Complete sentence: "This plan is an alternative to the last one."

Tip: Memorize these pairs: alternative to, different from, superior to, inferior to, prefer ... to. Words with a Latin comparative sense (like superior, inferior, prior) and alternative usually take to.