otherwise

1.連接詞B1

釋義

after advice, an order, or a warning, introduces what will happen if it is ignored.

例句

Take the cake out now, otherwise it will burn on top.

otherwise + result after an instruction

You should lock the gate, otherwise the dog may run out.

同義詞

or else
more direct and sometimes stronger in speech
if not
common in similar warning sentences, but often more tied to conditional structure
failing that
more formal and common in instructions or plans

文法句型

clause, otherwise + clause

用法筆記

Most often links a suggestion or command with its likely consequence. Distinguish from adverb sense 3: this sense warns someone about the next result, while sense 3 imagines a different situation from the real one.

常見錯誤

❌Otherwise you don't call home, your parents worry.

✅Call home, otherwise your parents will worry.

💡this word usually follows the advice or order, not a full negative clause at the start.

1.副詞B2

釋義

in another way, or showing that the truth is the opposite.

例句

Many people blamed Leo, but the camera footage suggested otherwise.

suggest otherwise = show the opposite

Rina is otherwise known as DJ Rain at weekend events.

otherwise known as + name

同義詞

differently
the broadest alternative when the meaning is simply 'in another way'
to the contrary
more formal and mainly used when the meaning is 'the opposite is true'
else
only works in some formal combinations, not in every pattern here

反義詞

similarly
shows that things happen in the same way instead of a different one

文法句型

suggest/prove otherwise

otherwise known as + name

otherwise engaged

用法筆記

This sense often appears in set patterns such as 'suggest otherwise', 'otherwise known as', and 'otherwise engaged'. Distinguish from sense 2, which means 'apart from that' rather than 'in a different or opposite way'.

常見錯誤

❌He is otherwise known John.

✅He is otherwise known as John.

💡the naming pattern needs 'known as'.

2.副詞B2

釋義

except for the thing just mentioned, the rest is different or unaffected.

例句

The soup was too salty, but otherwise the meal was excellent.

otherwise after but = apart from that

Judy twisted one ankle but was otherwise fine after the fall.

be otherwise + adjective

同義詞

apart from that
a close everyday equivalent
in other respects
slightly more formal and often used in writing
except for that
more explicit about the named exception

反義詞

entirely
shows that the whole situation is affected, not just one part

文法句型

but otherwise + clause

be otherwise + adjective

otherwise + adjective + noun

用法筆記

Often follows 'but' after one problem has just been named. It is also common before an adjective or noun phrase, as in 'an otherwise quiet street'.

常見錯誤

❌The bike was otherwise broken.

✅The bike needed one new wheel, but otherwise it was fine.

💡this sense excludes one stated problem; it does not simply mean 'in a bad way'.

3.副詞B2

釋義

if that had not happened, or if the real situation had been different.

例句

Nina lent me her map; otherwise, I would have taken the wrong road.

otherwise + would have for unreal result

The small grant paid June's rent; otherwise, the shop would have closed.

同義詞

if not
close in meaning when you imagine the opposite condition
without that
more explicit about the helpful fact that changed the result
in different circumstances
more formal and less compact

文法句型

otherwise, would/could/might + verb

might otherwise have + past participle

wouldn't otherwise + verb

用法筆記

Often goes with 'would', 'could', or 'might' to describe an unreal result. Distinguish from conjunction sense 1: sense 1 warns after advice, while this sense comments on what would happen in a different set of facts.

常見錯誤

❌I wore a coat. Otherwise I stayed warm.

✅I wore a coat; otherwise, I would have been cold.

💡this sense introduces the unreal result if the first fact were not true.

otherwise — conjunction

1. after advice, an order, or a warning, introduces what will happen if it is ignor

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

otherwise — adverb

1. in another way, or showing that the truth is the opposite.

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. except for the thing just mentioned, the rest is different or unaffected.

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

3. if that had not happened, or if the real situation had been different.

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

otherwise — adjective

1. different from what was said or believed, or added after a word to mean 'or not'

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤