These two words are very different, although they both have to do with literature, as you can tell from the stem literate.
Alliterate is a verb describing a poetic way of using sound in language.
Illiterate is an adjective meaning “not literate”—not able to read and write successfully (in a particular language).
To alliterate means to use the same consonants in multiple adjacent syllables or words:
Why do superheroes’ real names, like Clark Kent and Peter Parker, always alliterate?
Alliteration is usually thought of as a poetic technique, but one can also see it commonly in company names, e.g. Google, and slogans, e.g. “Make America Great.”
Illiterate, on the other hand, is an adjective you must use carefully, because nobody wants to be known as illiterate, especially in their native language. However, it’s not bad to say that one is illiterate in a foreign language:
Although I’ve studied Chinese, I’m still illiterate; I can’t read and write in it.
Sometimes you may hear people use the word illiterate as a mean way to describe people who have imperfect writing:
I am shocked your spelling is so illiterate!
This usage (above) is unfair and judgmental, so its usage is not recommended.
How to Use "Alliterate" in a Sentence
- I chose to alliterate the title of my paper to make it more catchy.
- It is quite tempting to not alliterate my sentences when writing.
- Alliteration is a serious problem in today’s fiction—there is either too much or none at all.
- The author’s alliterative asides are distracting to some readers.
- Alliteration makes a sentence more elegant, but it is a talent to be able to use multiple words that start with the same letter without assaulting your readers’ senses.
- My boss thought it was absurd that I would use alliteration in a business email.
- The alliteration of the letters in this title makes it easier to remember
- The alliteration in this passage is beautifully beaming.
How to Use "Illiterate" in a Sentence
- Mary is illiterate, so she has her children read her mail to her.
- Illiterate people can receive help from organizations that teach people how to read and write.
- Some countries are trying to get all their population literate by 2020.
- I used to teach English to illiterate adults.
- I admit to being nearly illiterate in mathematics.
- Illiteracy rates are high where poverty rates are high
- I wish my family would stop telling me that I'm illiterate—its hurtful.
- Please excuse my illiteracy on this subject.
- The college graduate felt illiterate because he had not read much of anything since high school.
- The illiterate suffer from a variety of difficulties that can be crippling.
- I can't understand how such a qualified person can be so illiterate when it comes to preserving information. (often used pejoratively as this sentence illustrates)
- Being illiterate, he was unable even to sign his name.
- Illiterate people are often the victims of crime.