They have similar meanings, but they are not used in the same semantic contexts, and they cannot both be used in all the same syntactic contexts.
Explanation:
Solo is usually used when doing something active: solo effort, singing a solo, solo competition. Alone is usually used when doing something inactive: sat alone, went alone.
Solo is usually used when doing something active: solo effort, singing a solo, solo competition. Alone is usually used when doing something inactive: sat alone, went alone.
But the lines can often blurred with the two usages and meanings.
One would say solo effort not alone effort, or all alone but not all solo (unless it was a collection of soloists).
Solo has the feeling of being singular in effort (with a crowd watching and/or involved), whereas alone has the feeling of being solitary (with no one watching):
The concert hall was filled for the Yo-Yo Ma's solo recital.
The farmer sat in his field alone as the storm gathered.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
They have similar meanings, but they are not used in the same semantic contexts, and they cannot both be used in all the same syntactic contexts.
Explanation:
Solo is usually used when doing something active: solo effort, singing a solo, solo competition. Alone is usually used when doing something inactive: sat alone, went alone.
Solo is usually used when doing something active: solo effort, singing a solo, solo competition. Alone is usually used when doing something inactive: sat alone, went alone.
But the lines can often blurred with the two usages and meanings.
One would say solo effort not alone effort, or all alone but not all solo (unless it was a collection of soloists).
Solo has the feeling of being singular in effort (with a crowd watching and/or involved), whereas alone has the feeling of being solitary (with no one watching):
The concert hall was filled for the Yo-Yo Ma's solo recital.
The farmer sat in his field alone as the storm gathered.