otherwise

Everyday

1. Otherwise means «if not» or «or else»: what will happen if something is not done. tree →
2. Otherwise means «apart from that» or «in other ways». tree →
3. Otherwise means «differently» or «in a different way». tree →

In the lessons

In reasoning and maths word problems, «otherwise» marks the other case: «If it is even, put it in box A; otherwise, put it in box B» — every number that is not even goes in B. In everyday life and safety: «Hold the rail, otherwise you might fall». It helps the reader see a choice and its result. Phrases: «unless told otherwise», «or otherwise», «think otherwise».

Examples

• Wear your coat, otherwise you'll get cold. tree →
• Hurry up, otherwise we'll miss the bus. tree →
• The soup was a bit salty, but otherwise it was lovely. tree →
• I was tired, but otherwise I felt fine. tree →
• If the number is even, colour it red; otherwise colour it blue. tree →
• Stay in your seats unless I say otherwise. tree →
• Mum thought it would rain, but Dad thought otherwise. tree →
• Wash your hands, otherwise germs can spread. tree →
• Otherwise you must die upon the spot." tree →

Note

In writing, «otherwise» joining two sentences usually comes after a comma or a semicolon: «Hurry, otherwise we'll be late». In logic it covers all cases not already named. Do not write it as two words («other wise»).

In Jewish tradition

In reasoning and maths word problems, «otherwise» marks the other case: «If it is even, put it in box A; otherwise, put it in box B» — every number that is not even goes in B. In everyday life and safety: «Hold the rail, otherwise you might fall». It helps the reader see a choice and its result. Phrases: «unless told otherwise», «or otherwise», «think otherwise».

Examples

• It tends to be used of things that are marvelous, miraculous, or otherwise supernatural and extraordinary, i.e. that which defies the human ability to do or understand and must therefore be divine, e.g. [Deuteronomy 28:59], [Psalm 118:23], [Psalm 139:6]. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• In this way two-thirds of the labor otherwise necessary is saved, for adding the third letter is only one third of the labor required to produce all the triliteral combinations. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.' (Prophets 1KI.1.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against mine own life — and there is no matter hid from the king — then thou thyself wouldest have stood aloof.' (Prophets 2SA.18.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. (Writings 2CH.30.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

In writing, «otherwise» joining two sentences usually comes after a comma or a semicolon: «Hurry, otherwise we'll be late». In logic it covers all cases not already named. Do not write it as two words («other wise»).