would not otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

"would not otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the idea that something would not happen except under certain conditions. Example: I would not otherwise have considered the opportunity, but the challenging job description intrigued me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They would not otherwise be recognised by the free market".

The Guardian

Ochocinco creates attention for the league it would not otherwise get.

The New York Times - Sports

Works are now accessible to many institutions that would not otherwise have access.

The New Yorker

Whistle-blowers offer a glimpse into a company that would not otherwise be available.

The New York Times

These subsidies make sense only if they are encouraging saving that would not otherwise take place.

The Economist

But they have also killed a few people who would not otherwise have died.

The Economist

The new deals will create products that would not otherwise exist for viewers to buy.

The New York Times

This, he contends, allows the evolution of collaborative, altruistic traits that would not otherwise be possible.

The Economist

Critics say the government is creating a market that would not otherwise exist.

The New York Times

It is, he adds, all about offering experiences to people which would not otherwise be available.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He hires and promotes many who would not otherwise get to work on Park Avenue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would not otherwise", ensure the sentence structure clearly establishes the condition that must be met for the event to occur.

Common error

Avoid using "would not otherwise" when the context doesn't clearly establish a conditional relationship. Ensure the sentence explicitly states the condition that alters the expected outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not otherwise" functions as a conditional marker, indicating that an event or action is contingent upon a specific circumstance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to emphasize that something wouldn't happen under normal conditions. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would not otherwise" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed conditional expression. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to highlight that a certain event is conditional on a specific set of circumstances. Predominantly found in news, science and business contexts, its neutral tone makes it versatile for professional communication. Common alternatives include phrases like "if not for" or "were it not for", depending on the intended emphasis. Remembering the importance of contextual clarity when using this phrase ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wouldn't otherwise

Contraction of "would not", making it less formal.

if not for

Introduces a condition that, if absent, would lead to a different result.

but for

Highlights the causal relationship where one thing is necessary for another.

were it not for

More formal way of expressing "if not for".

without this

Focuses on the lack of something essential.

had it not been for

Similar to "if not for" but refers to a past event.

absent this

Emphasizes the absence of a condition leading to an alternative.

unless this happens

Specifies a condition that must be met.

except under these circumstances

Highlights specific conditions required for an event.

apart from this

Indicates an exception to a general statement.

FAQs

How can I use "would not otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "would not otherwise" to indicate that something is conditional and dependent on a specific circumstance. For example, "They "would not otherwise" be recognised by the free market".

What are some alternatives to using "would not otherwise"?

Alternatives include phrases like "if not for", "were it not for", or "except under these circumstances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "wouldn't otherwise" instead of "would not otherwise"?

Yes, "wouldn't otherwise" is the contracted form of "would not otherwise" and is perfectly acceptable, especially in less formal contexts.

What's the difference between "but for" and "would not otherwise"?

"But for" emphasizes a causal relationship where one thing is necessary for another, while "would not otherwise" focuses on the conditional nature of an event.