which otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which otherwise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate an alternate or contrary situation that would take place without a certain action or condition. For example, "He was able to get the job, which otherwise would have gone vacant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which otherwise can feel a bit hidden away.

The New Yorker

Thus, insights have been gained which otherwise would have been extremely difficult to obtain.

Chemical Engineering Science

They also helped detect differences between groups which otherwise seemed to have similar test results.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

These are designed to return to the river water which otherwise would be lost.

Cornell University

fibers recovered from waste water which otherwise would enter the waste stream.

Cornell University

In return, developers can get expedited approvals for their projects, which otherwise involve long legal entanglements.

The New York Times

Roof slate surrounded the house, which otherwise had weathered it all.

The New Yorker

Gross occupied the only seat on the plane, which otherwise had been stripped bare.

The New Yorker

These volunteers have undoubtedly kept open mobile and permanent libraries which otherwise would be long gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two bunk beds practically filled the compartment, which otherwise included a pretty end table and lamp.

The New York Times - Travel

His procedure cured the women of fistula, which otherwise would have left them incontinent.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which otherwise" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship where the absence of a specific factor would lead to a different outcome. Ensure the clause following "which otherwise" provides a direct and logical consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "which otherwise" when the relationship between the initial statement and the subsequent clause is not directly causal. The "otherwise" clause should be an immediate and logical result of the condition not being met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which otherwise" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase that introduces a non-restrictive (or nonessential) clause. This clause provides information about what would happen if the condition stated in the main clause were not true. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing its role in establishing conditional relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which otherwise" is a versatile tool for establishing conditional relationships in writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, particularly in news, science, and academia. To avoid common mistakes, always ensure a direct and logical causal link between the initial statement and the "otherwise" clause. Consider using alternatives like "if not for that" or "but for that" for varied expression. With a neutral to formal register, "which otherwise" contributes to clear and precise communication, making it a valuable asset in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not for that

Replaces the relative pronoun "which" with a conditional "if not for", altering the sentence structure.

but for that

Uses "but for" to indicate a condition that prevents something from happening.

were it not for that

Introduces a hypothetical condition using "were it not for", creating a more formal tone.

without that happening

Emphasizes the absence of an event leading to a different outcome.

absent that

Uses "absent that" as a concise way to express the lack of a necessary condition.

failing that

Indicates an alternative course of action if the primary one does not occur.

except in that case

Highlights an exception to the general rule or situation.

unless that were the case

Expresses a condition under which something would not be true.

barring that

Uses "barring that" to exclude a specific condition from consideration.

had that not occurred

Presents a past condition that, if absent, would have changed the outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "which otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "which otherwise" to introduce a clause that describes what would happen if the preceding condition were not met. For example, "The project received funding, "which otherwise" would have been cancelled".

What phrases can I use instead of "which otherwise"?

You can use alternatives like "if not for that", "but for that", or "were it not for that" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it always necessary to include a comma before "which otherwise"?

Yes, a comma is typically necessary before "which otherwise" because it introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

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

While "otherwise" can stand alone to mean "in a different way", ""which otherwise"" introduces a clause that specifically refers back to a preceding condition, indicating a consequence that would occur in its absence.