at otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at otherwise" is not correct and does not have a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be a misconstruction and should be avoided in standard usage. Example: "You can choose to proceed as planned or at otherwise, but the decision is yours." (This example is incorrect due to the phrase.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

And there isn't very much else to look at otherwise.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's not like Rob's talking about kids who would never be looked at otherwise.

The New York Times - Sports

The music has a veiled power, and hints at otherwise hidden sources of inspiration.

The New Yorker

Since there is so little to look at otherwise, the players' styles and personalities come to seem important to describe.

The New Yorker

The browsing rhinoceroses may break down trees and shrubs, and use their forelimbs to help get at otherwise inaccessible leaves and twigs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yes, television organizes the perceptual field — it "tells" you what to look at — but, unless you know the sport and the competitors pretty well beforehand, you are not going to make much sense of what you're looking at otherwise.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Be sure to select Disc-At-Once, otherwise Nero will burn the image wrong!

WikiHow

"I wouldn't push shoes at lunch otherwise".

The New York Times

The spike in tensions over the border comes at an otherwise politically dynamic moment.

The New York Times

Pure bundling arises at equilibrium otherwise.

SERIEs

"They would not be playing at Tottenham otherwise.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at otherwise" in formal writing. Replace it with grammatically correct alternatives like "alternatively" or "under different conditions" for clarity.

Common error

Do not use "at otherwise" when intending to express a conditional or alternative scenario. This phrase is not recognized as grammatically correct in standard English. Instead, opt for established conjunctions or adverbs to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at otherwise" does not serve a clear grammatical function in English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct. It appears in various contexts attempting to introduce conditions or alternatives, but lacks standard grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at otherwise" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal English writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it lacks a clear meaning and proper usage. While attempts to use it appear across various contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias, it's crucial to replace it with grammatically sound alternatives like "alternatively", "unless", or "in other circumstances" to ensure clarity and accuracy. Its rare occurrence and the nature of sources employing it indicate that it's not a recognized or accepted phrase in standard English. Therefore, always opt for established conjunctions and adverbs to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternatively

This provides a direct alternative, replacing "at otherwise" with a single, grammatically sound adverb.

if not

This provides a simple conditional replacement, suitable for scenarios where "at otherwise" indicates an exception.

unless

This offers a concise way to express the exception implied by "at otherwise".

in other circumstances

This expands the condition implied by "at otherwise" to encompass a broader range of situations.

under different conditions

This alternative focuses on varying the circumstances under which something occurs.

except when

This highlights the specific instances where the general rule does not apply.

in different situations

Similar to "in other circumstances", this broadens the scope of the conditional.

on the other hand

This phrase introduces a contrasting perspective or condition.

conversely

This adverb presents an opposite or alternative scenario.

by contrast

This highlights the difference in conditions or outcomes.

FAQs

What does "at otherwise" mean, and why is it considered incorrect?

The phrase "at otherwise" does not have a recognized meaning in standard English. It's often a misconstruction of how conditional phrases are formed. Instead, use alternatives like "alternatively" or /s/in+other+circumstances.

How can I correct a sentence that includes "at otherwise"?

Replace "at otherwise" with a grammatically correct phrase that expresses the intended conditional or alternative meaning. For example, use "alternatively", "unless", or /s/except+when depending on the context.

Are there specific contexts where "at otherwise" might be acceptable?

No, "at otherwise" is not considered acceptable in any formal writing context due to its lack of grammatical correctness. Always use established phrases to ensure clarity and accuracy.

What are some common alternatives to "at otherwise" that maintain a similar meaning?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "alternatively", "in other circumstances", "unless", or /s/on+the+other+hand to replace "at otherwise" and convey the intended meaning.