to be otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be otherwise" is a phrase that is grammatically correct and usable in formal written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not as it is expected to be or that it has a different outcome than the one that is considered the norm. For example, "I would have expected the weather today to be sunny, but it turned out to be otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And dare to be otherwise".

The New York Times

It has to be, otherwise societies dissolve".

The Guardian - Books

It's too small to be otherwise.

The Guardian - Music

You'd have to have no curiosity to be otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our world is too interconnected for it to be otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

I would not want it to be otherwise.

The Guardian - Books

And we wouldn't wish things to be otherwise.

The Guardian

§ 1.9 Records not to be otherwise withdrawn or disclosed.

Cornell University

There's too much competition for it to be otherwise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You have to be, otherwise you become irrelevant," he says.

The Washington Post

As a teacher, I cannot afford to be otherwise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be otherwise" to succinctly indicate that a situation or outcome deviates from what is expected or previously stated. This avoids unnecessary repetition or lengthy explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "to be otherwise" when a more specific description of the actual state or outcome would provide greater clarity. "The report was expected to be positive, but it turned out "to be otherwise"" is vague; specifying "negative" or "inconclusive" is more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be otherwise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a different state, condition, or outcome than what was previously mentioned or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be otherwise" is a grammatically sound and versatile adverbial phrase frequently employed to denote a divergence from an anticipated or previously stated condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears commonly in news, academic, and scientific contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability in formal writing. While efficient, clarity should be prioritized; if a more specific description enhances understanding, it should be used instead. Alternatives such as "to be different" or "to not be the case" can offer greater precision in certain situations. Using "to be otherwise" effectively requires a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to not be the case

Directly negates the original assertion or expectation.

to not be as expected

Emphasizes the deviation from the anticipated scenario.

to be different

Focuses on the state of being dissimilar or distinct.

to result in a different outcome

Focuses on the divergence in the final result.

to be something else entirely

Stresses a complete and total divergence from the original.

to turn out differently

Emphasizes the altered result or outcome.

to prove to be something else

Highlights the eventual discovery of a different truth.

to exist in another state

Highlights a change in existence or condition.

to manifest differently

Highlights an alternative form of appearance or occurrence.

to be dissimilar

Underscores the lack of resemblance or similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "to be otherwise" in a sentence?

You can use "to be otherwise" to indicate that something is not as it was previously stated or expected. For example, "The results were expected to be conclusive, but they turned out "to be otherwise"".

What is a good alternative to "to be otherwise"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to be different", "to not be the case", or "to result in a different outcome".

Is it always clear what "to be otherwise" refers to?

While generally clear, ensure the reference point is explicit in the preceding context. If ambiguity exists, rephrase for clarity rather than relying on "to be otherwise".

When is it best to avoid using the phrase "to be otherwise"?

Avoid using "to be otherwise" when a more direct and specific description can be used instead. Vague statements can often be improved by providing concrete details rather than a general reference to "to be otherwise".