else

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "else" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting clause or as an adverb to mean "in other ways" or "in addition to what has been said or done". Example sentence: "I wanted vanilla ice cream, but they didn't have any left, so I got chocolate instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anything else?

The New York Times

I don't want that but how else are fans going to learn not to go on the pitch?

The Guardian - Sport

What else?

The Guardian

But what else?

The New York Times

Nothing else does.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, the world is ruled by little else.

The Economist

It had everything else: more than 30 shots, one red card, three penalties, none of which were, three very particular celebrations, points proven, and 10 goals.

The Guardian - Sport

The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life.

The Economist

"It's just somewhere else".

The New York Times - Arts

But if someone else went down we have Tom up our sleeves.

The Guardian - Sport

"If someone else goes down – and it could happen because we have the Cup final and these [post-season friendly] matches being played all over the world – then we would have to bring someone else in," said the England manager.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "else" in conditional statements (e.g., "if...else"), ensure that the "else" clause provides a clear alternative action if the initial condition is not met.

Common error

Avoid using "else" to start a sentence or clause without a preceding "if" or conditional statement. "Else" requires a condition to be contrasted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "else" is to introduce an alternative condition or outcome. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is typically used in conjunction with an "if" statement to specify what happens if the initial condition is not true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "else" functions as a conjunction to introduce an alternative, typically following an "if" statement. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. To ensure proper usage, remember that "else" should not begin a sentence and should always provide a clear alternative condition. Related phrases such as "otherwise" offer similar functionality. Ludwig examples confirm its prevalent use and versatility in conveying contrasting scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

otherwise

Indicates an alternative condition or outcome if the preceding condition is not met.

alternatively

Presents a different option or possibility.

instead

Replaces one thing with another.

in addition

Introduces something extra or supplementary to what has already been mentioned.

on the other hand

Presents a contrasting perspective or option.

or

Connects two or more possibilities, only one of which can be true.

besides

Indicates something included in addition to what was previously mentioned.

apart from that

Highlights an exception or exclusion.

moreover

Introduces an additional point that reinforces the previous one.

furthermore

Adds more information to support the preceding point.

FAQs

How do I use "else" in a sentence?

"Else" is typically used in conjunction with "if" to provide an alternative action when the condition in the "if" statement is not met. For example, "If it rains, we'll stay inside; else, we'll go for a walk."

What are some alternatives to using "else"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "otherwise", "alternatively", or rephrase the sentence to avoid using "else" altogether.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "else"?

No, it is generally incorrect to start a sentence with "else". "Else" should follow an "if" statement or another conditional clause.

What's the difference between "otherwise" and "else"?

"Otherwise" and "else" are often interchangeable, but "otherwise" can sometimes function more broadly to introduce a different state of affairs, while "else" is more strictly tied to a preceding conditional statement. See also "otherwise".