Focus marks information as new or important – at least, this is often claimed. Recent theories assume that focus indicates the relevance of alternatives, thereby affecting interpretation in ways that are not explicitly taught. Focus alternatives need not be mentioned – they can be inferred. This is a prime example of understanding more than what has been literally said. This Element presents an overview of the current knowledge about focus alternatives in spoken language comprehension and production. It also asks whether focus alternatives are a universal phenomenon by comparing studies from different languages. Research on focus alternatives is methodologically challenging – how can the activation of alternatives in someone's mind be traced if these alternatives are not part of what has been heard? The final section offers readers a glimpse into the psycholinguist's toolkit, critically reviewing exemplary experimental designs. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.