otherwise
otherwise — conjunction
1. after advice, an order, or a warning, introduces what will happen if it is ignor
after advice, an order, or a warning, introduces what will happen if it is ignored.
Take the cake out now, otherwise it will burn on top.
otherwise + result after an instruction
You should lock the gate, otherwise the dog may run out.
Please write Emma's address down, otherwise you will ask again.
The coach told us to stretch first; otherwise, someone could get hurt.
otherwise after reported advice
- otherwise it will
- otherwise you will
- otherwise someone could
- otherwise the dog may
- or else
more direct and sometimes stronger in speech
- if not
common in similar warning sentences, but often more tied to conditional structure
- failing that
more formal and common in instructions or plans
Grammar Patterns
clause, otherwise + clause
Usage Note
Most often links a suggestion or command with its likely consequence. Distinguish from adverb sense 3: this sense warns someone about the next result, while sense 3 imagines a different situation from the real one.
Common Mistakes
otherwise — adverb
1. in another way, or showing that the truth is the opposite.
in another way, or showing that the truth is the opposite.
Many people blamed Leo, but the camera footage suggested otherwise.
suggest otherwise = show the opposite
Rina is otherwise known as DJ Rain at weekend events.
otherwise known as + name
Visitors may not copy, sell, or otherwise share the photos.
or otherwise + verb
Ms. Wu cannot join dinner because she is otherwise engaged tonight.
fixed phrase: otherwise engaged
- suggest otherwise
- prove otherwise
- otherwise known as
- otherwise engaged
- differently
the broadest alternative when the meaning is simply 'in another way'
- to the contrary
more formal and mainly used when the meaning is 'the opposite is true'
- else
only works in some formal combinations, not in every pattern here
- similarly
shows that things happen in the same way instead of a different one
Grammar Patterns
suggest/prove otherwise
otherwise known as + name
otherwise engaged
Usage Note
This sense often appears in set patterns such as 'suggest otherwise', 'otherwise known as', and 'otherwise engaged'. Distinguish from sense 2, which means 'apart from that' rather than 'in a different or opposite way'.
Common Mistakes
2. except for the thing just mentioned, the rest is different or unaffected.
except for the thing just mentioned, the rest is different or unaffected.
The soup was too salty, but otherwise the meal was excellent.
otherwise after but = apart from that
Judy twisted one ankle but was otherwise fine after the fall.
be otherwise + adjective
The crack spoiled an otherwise lovely blue bowl from Tainan.
otherwise + adjective before noun
The app loads slowly, but otherwise it works well on my phone.
- otherwise fine
- otherwise healthy
- otherwise good
- otherwise quiet
- apart from that
a close everyday equivalent
- in other respects
slightly more formal and often used in writing
- except for that
more explicit about the named exception
- entirely
shows that the whole situation is affected, not just one part
Grammar Patterns
but otherwise + clause
be otherwise + adjective
otherwise + adjective + noun
Usage Note
Often follows 'but' after one problem has just been named. It is also common before an adjective or noun phrase, as in 'an otherwise quiet street'.
Common Mistakes
3. if that had not happened, or if the real situation had been different.
if that had not happened, or if the real situation had been different.
Nina lent me her map; otherwise, I would have taken the wrong road.
otherwise + would have for unreal result
The small grant paid June's rent; otherwise, the shop would have closed.
A quick phone call solved a problem that would otherwise have lasted weeks.
would otherwise have + verb
The bright label marked a pipe that might otherwise stay hidden underground.
- otherwise would have
- might otherwise
- would otherwise
- could otherwise
- if not
close in meaning when you imagine the opposite condition
- without that
more explicit about the helpful fact that changed the result
- in different circumstances
more formal and less compact
Grammar Patterns
otherwise, would/could/might + verb
might otherwise have + past participle
wouldn't otherwise + verb
Usage Note
Often goes with 'would', 'could', or 'might' to describe an unreal result. Distinguish from conjunction sense 1: sense 1 warns after advice, while this sense comments on what would happen in a different set of facts.
Common Mistakes
to know, or have proof, that the opposite is true.
At the police station, Nora said Ben was home, but Officer Lin knew otherwise.
Eva smiled politely, but her sister knew otherwise after the phone call.
or otherwise
idiomor something different from that, often the opposite kind.
Please say whether the package arrived safely or otherwise.
The form asks if the trip was for work, study, or otherwise.
otherwise — adjective
1. different from what was said or believed, or added after a word to mean 'or not'
different from what was said or believed, or added after a word to mean 'or not' or 'or another kind'.
The leaflet promised full access, but the truth was otherwise.
formal predicative use: the truth was otherwise
Please report any damage, accidental or otherwise, before checkout.
accidental or otherwise
We discussed the success or otherwise of the school market.
success or otherwise
The club welcomes all writers, young and otherwise, to Saturday workshops.
young and otherwise
- accidental or otherwise
- success or otherwise
- young and otherwise
- the truth was otherwise
- different
the plainest general alternative
- contrary
more formal and mainly used for the opposite idea
- alternative
fits the 'other kind' use better than the 'opposite' use
- same
shows no difference from what was first stated
Grammar Patterns
be otherwise
quite otherwise
adjective/noun + or otherwise
Usage Note
Commonest in formal pairings such as 'accidental or otherwise' and in phrases like 'the truth was otherwise'. It is much rarer than the adverb senses in ordinary conversation.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: conjunction/1
For conjunction sense 1, 'otherwise' is a neutral way to warn about the result of ignoring advice: 'Leave now, otherwise you'll miss the train.' 'Or else' is stronger and can sound more threatening. 'If not' is close in meaning, but it fits more naturally inside a fuller conditional structure. 'Failing that' is more formal and often appears in written instructions or plans. Plain 'or' can connect alternatives, but it usually does not clearly express a negative consequence by itself. A useful contrast is: 'Back up the file, otherwise you may lose it,' but 'Back up the file, or else you may lose it' sounds sharper.
Etymology
Otherwise comes from an Old English phrase meaning 'in another way'. It joins the idea of 'other' with an older use of 'wise' meaning 'manner' or 'way'. Over time, English speakers treated the phrase as a single word.