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Which is correct — alterior or ulterior?

Writing for Business

typing Which is correct?
Although ISPs promote DNS redirection as a service to customers, customers typically think the ISPs have _______ motives.
a. alterior
b. ulterior

Answer: b

Explanation: Ulterior, in this context, means hidden. Alterior, on the other hand, is not a word. If it were, however, it probably would mean something like alternate. Which is probably where the confusion comes from — people thinking that saying someone has “an alterior motive” means they have a different motive from the one they claim.

Alterior is featured in the Eggcorn Database. (An eggcorn is a word used mistakenly because it sounds like the correct word.)

Grammar Girl differentiates between Spoonerisms, Mondegreens, Eggcorns, and Malapropisms.

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