would otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

'would otherwise' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is expected or likely to happen if a certain condition is not met or a certain action is not taken. For example, "I would have gone to the store today, but I wouldn't have time to finish my work, so I stayed home instead, which I would otherwise have done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The law would otherwise make no sense.

The New Yorker

You see things you would otherwise miss.

The Guardian - Arts

Does it stop you doing anything you would otherwise do?

Independent

(It would otherwise have cost a mere $2.25).

The Economist

Some of those workers would otherwise have landed on welfare.

The New York Times

Most would otherwise be merely indifferent tourist destinations.

The Economist

He gets to experience more than he ever would otherwise.

The New Yorker

Governments could hardly misallocate resources that would otherwise be unemployed.

The Economist

The theme: make something that would otherwise go bad.

The New Yorker

Thermafleece is British wool that would otherwise be waste.

The Guardian

Jobs that would otherwise have been created won't be.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would otherwise" to clearly indicate what the default or expected outcome would be if a specific action or condition were not present. For example, "The meeting will be canceled unless we receive enough RSVPs; it would otherwise proceed as planned."

Common error

Avoid using "would otherwise" when a simple future tense is more appropriate. "I will go to the party" is better than "I would otherwise go to the party" if there's no implied condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would otherwise" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a conditional or hypothetical outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it specifies what is expected or likely to happen if a particular condition isn't met. It is a common way to express alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

54%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would otherwise" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express hypothetical outcomes or conditions. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates what is expected or likely to happen in the absence of a specific action or condition. Its grammatical function is to modify a verb or clause, specifying the alternative outcome. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific writing, and formal contexts, making it an essential part of formal communication. The frequency is very common, and based on the contexts and sources analysed here, the phrase can be used in various circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but for that

Highlights the causal relationship where one thing prevents another.

if not for that

Similar to 'but for that', emphasizing causality.

without that

Indicates a condition's absence as crucial to the outcome.

but that

A concise way of indicating a contrasting element.

absent that

Focuses on the absence of a condition leading to a different result.

except for that

Indicates an exception that changes the expected outcome.

failing that

Suggests an alternative action if the first choice is not available.

in the absence of that

Emphasizes the lack of something as a determining factor.

were it not for that

A more formal way of saying 'if not for that'.

had it not been for that

Highlights a past condition that changed the course of events.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "would otherwise" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "absent that", "in the absence of that", or "were it not for that". The best choice depends on the specific context, but these options often lend a more sophisticated air to your writing.

What's the difference between "would instead" and "would otherwise"?

"Would otherwise" indicates what would happen if a certain condition were not met, while "would instead" suggests an alternative action or choice that will be taken.

Is it correct to use "would otherwise" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with "would otherwise" is uncommon. It's generally better to structure your sentence to place the phrase within the clause it modifies for clearer understanding.

Can "would otherwise" be used in contexts other than hypothetical situations?

Yes, "would otherwise" can be used to describe habitual or expected outcomes. For instance, "The library is open every day except Sunday; it would otherwise be accessible to the public."