otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a contrasting or alternative idea. For example: "You can request a refund, otherwise you will be responsible for the full cost of the purchase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Sport

Business

Film

Music

Tech

Money

Books

TV & Radio

Society

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

"The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise.

The Guardian - Business

But otherwise – no.

The Guardian - Opinion

The evidence suggests otherwise.

The Economist

The Spaniard thought otherwise and took him deep into the third set before the world No1 rounded it out 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 in a tick over two hours.

The Guardian - Sport

It tells us that while men may be trying to make victims of women-through institutional discrimination or otherwise- women are not making victims of themselves.

The Guardian

Dogs in summer bit by gnats or fleas or gadflies, jerking their snouts about, twitching their paws now here, now there, behave no otherwise".

The Guardian - Opinion

That is not just because of the star quality of its past inmates but also because it is situated right in the heart of Paris in the otherwise smart and arty district of Montparnasse.

The Guardian

Likewise some people feel they need secrets, otherwise they fear merging with their spouse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Through the medium of the puppet, the child finds himself/herself able to express thoughts, ideas and feelings that he/she otherwise could not have.

The Guardian

"We kick-started one year ago with 100 associated consumers," says Soares, "and now we're 500 people every week eating fruits and vegetables that otherwise would go to waste".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "otherwise" to mean 'in other respects', ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "otherwise" when you simply mean 'different'. "Otherwise" often implies a consequence or alternative action, not just a general difference.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "otherwise" is to serve as an adverb, modifying a verb, clause, or sentence to indicate a condition, alternative, or different state. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Opinion

12%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Business

5%

Sport

5%

Film

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Otherwise" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adverb, used to introduce a contrasting condition, alternative action, or differing circumstance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very common in English, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, use "otherwise" to enhance the clarity of your arguments by presenting clear alternatives or consequences. Be careful not to overuse it when a simpler word like 'different' will suffice. Consider alternatives like "alternatively" or "else" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

else

A shorter, more direct synonym indicating an alternative action or outcome.

alternatively

This term suggests a different option or possibility, highlighting a choice between two things.

or else

This phrase carries a stronger sense of warning or consequence if an alternative is not chosen.

in another way

This phrase emphasizes a different method or approach to achieve a result.

if not

This conditional phrase indicates a potential negative consequence if a certain action is not taken.

under different conditions

Similar to 'in different circumstances', but emphasizes the specific conditions that would alter the outcome.

in different circumstances

Highlights that the outcome would be different under a different set of conditions.

failing that

Implies that if the first option is not viable, a secondary option should be considered.

conversely

Introduces a statement or idea that reverses the one that has just been made or referred to.

on the other hand

Presents an alternative perspective or consideration in contrast to a previous one.

FAQs

How can I use "otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "otherwise" to introduce a condition that, if unmet, will lead to a different result. For example, "You need to submit the report by Friday; "otherwise", you will not be graded".

What can I say instead of "otherwise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "alternatively", "if not", or "else".

Which is correct, "otherwise" or "other wise"?

"Otherwise" is a single word used as an adverb or adjective. "Other wise" as two separate words does not have the same meaning or application.

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

"Otherwise" indicates a different condition or outcome, while "elsewhere" refers to a different location.