we otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an alternative action or situation that would occur if not for the current context. Example: "If we do not receive the necessary funding, we otherwise will have to scale back our project significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That's where art steps in and allows us to describe something we otherwise couldn't.

Vice

Married couples get certain legal and economic benefits we otherwise can't get.

The Guardian - Opinion

Increasingly, said Ms. Peluso, "We are taking accountability for things we otherwise wouldn't take accountability for".

The New York Times - Travel

They are forcing many of us to reflect in ways we otherwise wouldn't have.

The Guardian

Bill Russell's anxiety tells us something we otherwise wouldn't know about Bill Russell.

The New Yorker

"That's money we otherwise would be using to buy books for kids".

The New York Times

In this instance, too, we experienced an aspect of Russia that we otherwise might have missed.

The New York Times - Travel

"How can we otherwise explain media provocations, financing and arming religious extremism?" Mr. Mouallem said.

The New York Times

Technology is worthwhile when it gives us capabilities we otherwise lack, even if it can be badly used.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, if everyone likes what we're doing we're probably screwing up more than we otherwise would be".

The Guardian - Business

Photography, for Brandt, was all about capturing details on the edge of life that we otherwise wouldn't see.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we otherwise" to clearly indicate a contrasting scenario that would occur if the current conditions or actions were not in place. This helps in creating concise and impactful statements.

Common error

Avoid using "we otherwise" when the contrasting situation is already implied or obvious. Overuse can make your writing sound redundant or convoluted. Ensure there's a clear benefit in highlighting the alternative scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we otherwise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by introducing a conditional or alternative scenario. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it sets up a contrast to the stated situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we otherwise" functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces an alternative or conditional scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. Its primary purpose is to emphasize the impact of specific actions by contrasting them with potential outcomes. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure clarity in expressing the intended contrast. Alternatives such as "were it not for us" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not for us

A more concise way of expressing that without the group, the situation would be different.

but for our actions

Stresses the impact of specific actions taken by a group in changing a situation.

if we hadn't acted

Highlights a past action and its direct consequence on preventing an alternate outcome.

had we not intervened

Focuses on the act of intervention and its effect on altering a course of events.

except for our part

Emphasizes a group's specific role as an exception to a general condition.

were it not for us

Highlights the role of a specific group (us) in preventing something from happening.

without our contribution

Underlines the necessity of a group's contribution to avoid a certain result.

absent our involvement

Emphasizes the absence of a group's participation as a condition for a different outcome.

in the absence of our efforts

Focuses on the lack of effort from a group as a cause for a different set of events.

lacking our presence

Points to the absence of a group's presence as a determining factor in an alternative scenario.

FAQs

How can "we otherwise" be used in a sentence?

Use "we otherwise" to introduce what would happen in a different scenario. For instance, "If we don't invest in renewable energy, "we otherwise" will continue to rely on fossil fuels."

What's a more formal way to say "we otherwise"?

A more formal alternative could be "were it not for our intervention" or "absent our actions". For example, instead of ""we otherwise" would have failed", you could say "were it not for our intervention, we would have failed."

Is it correct to say "we would otherwise" instead of "we otherwise"?

Both "we otherwise" and "we would otherwise" are grammatically correct, but "we otherwise" is often more concise. The inclusion of "would" adds emphasis to the hypothetical nature of the alternative.

What is the difference between "we otherwise" and "otherwise"?

"Otherwise" is a general term indicating an alternative, while "we otherwise" specifically includes the subject "we", emphasizing a contrast that involves the speaker or a group they belong to. For instance, ""we otherwise" would not have succeeded" focuses on the group's role, whereas "otherwise, it would not have succeeded" is more general.