tell otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

"tell otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an instruction to someone to communicate a different message or interpretation than what has already been stated. For example, you could say "I heard that Jeff was planning to leave the company, but please tell him otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Time may tell otherwise, but the representatives of the younger generation show less promise for the future than they give cause for present alarm.

The New York Times - Arts

By telling the truth, they might be able to connect it with an amusing anecdote that they wouldn't be able to tell otherwise.

Huffington Post

Or maybe it was actually the case back then and we were just too blinded by our own sense of adolescent melodrama to tell otherwise (and are now crippled with nostalgia).

Vice

They let us go after that saying that we were not allowed to tell otherwise they would kill us, they had knives".

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Unless told otherwise".

The Guardian - Sport

I was never told otherwise," Donaldson said.

The Guardian

"I have not been told otherwise".

The Guardian - Sport

"Until I'm told otherwise, yeah, I do," Curry said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Exercise planning will continue until we are told otherwise".

The Guardian

You are to do all assignments yourself, unless explicitly told otherwise.

Princeton University

The university later said it had been told otherwise by Dr. Hawking's office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tell otherwise" when you want someone to actively communicate a different message than what is currently understood or expected. It implies a need for direct communication to change a perception.

Common error

Avoid using "tell otherwise" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Ensure the subject who is doing the telling is explicitly stated for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell otherwise" functions as an imperative, urging someone to communicate a contrary message. Based on Ludwig's findings, it is used to instruct or authorize someone to actively correct or dispute a pre-existing notion or piece of information. This is supported by examples like "They let us go after that saying that we were not allowed to tell otherwise they would kill us, they had knives"."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tell otherwise" serves as a directive to communicate a different message, often to correct a misconception or provide an alternative viewpoint. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts, with a slightly higher prevalence in news and media. While not overly formal, its register is suitable for various communication scenarios. This phrase is best employed when a direct instruction is needed to reshape someone's understanding by actively correcting existing information. It is important to ensure the actor doing the "telling" is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradict

Emphasizes direct opposition to a previous statement.

dispute that

Highlights the act of questioning or challenging a statement.

offer a different account

Focuses on providing an alternative narrative or explanation.

present an alternative

Highlights providing a different option or perspective.

correct that statement

Focuses on rectifying a perceived inaccuracy.

set the record straight

Implies that a previous statement was misleading and needs clarification.

give a counter-narrative

Emphasizes providing a story that opposes the original one.

assert the opposite

Focuses on stating a directly opposing viewpoint.

rectify misconceptions

Highlights correcting widespread misunderstandings or false beliefs.

dissuade from believing that

Focuses on convincing someone not to accept a particular idea.

FAQs

How can I use "tell otherwise" in a sentence?

You can use "tell otherwise" when instructing someone to communicate a different message than what's assumed, as in "If they ask about the budget cuts, /s/tell+them+otherwise/."

What's a more formal alternative to "tell otherwise"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "provide a different account" or "offer a different perspective" instead of "tell otherwise".

Is it correct to say "told otherwise"?

Yes, "told otherwise" is the past participle form and is commonly used, as in "Unless "told otherwise", proceed with the original plan."

What does "tell otherwise" imply about the current understanding?

"Tell otherwise" suggests that there's a current assumption or piece of information that needs to be actively corrected or changed through direct communication.