otherwise
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adv.you use this to say what will happen if a specific condition is not met.
adv.used as a conjunctive adverb to indicate the result or consequence if a preceding statement or condition is not fulfilled.
Simple“You should leave now, otherwise you will miss your train.”
In context“The government must implement these reforms immediately; otherwise, the economic recovery will likely stall before the end of the fiscal year.”
UsageUsually placed at the start of a second clause to show a negative consequence.
Synonymsor elseif not - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.except for the thing you just mentioned.
adv.referring to all other factors or qualities apart from the one specifically mentioned.
Simple“The phone has a small scratch, but it is otherwise in perfect condition.”
In context“The witness provided an otherwise credible account of the events, though her memory of the specific timing remained somewhat hazy.”
UsageOften placed before an adjective to qualify it.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.in a different way from what was expected or mentioned.
adv.in a different manner or under different circumstances.
Simple“I wanted to help, but the boss decided otherwise.”
In context“Although the initial evidence suggested a mechanical failure, the forensic report proved otherwise.”
UsageCommonly follows verbs like 'think', 'decide', 'say', or 'prove'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.different from what you might think or what has been said.
adj.of a different nature or character than what is supposed or stated.
Simple“The truth is often otherwise.”
In context“He claimed to be a wealthy businessman, but the reality was quite otherwise.”
Teacher's tipThis adjective use is quite formal; in everyday speech, people usually just say 'different'.
Usage otherwise known
“There is a 10-second time limit to tell the fourth official who is coming off, otherwise the captain must do so.”
“Carnavon’s death in 1923 has been cited as proof of the myth that those who opened tombs would be cursed with bad luck, illness or death, otherwise known as the “mummy’s curse”.”
From Middle English otherwise, othre wise, from Old English on ōþre wīsan (literally “in (on) other/different manner”); equivalent to other + -wise. Compare West Frisian yn oarwei (“otherwise”), Icelandic öðruvísi (“different”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.