otherwise
gb/ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz/ us/ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1200
különben, egyébként, más körülmények között, máskülönben
A2
1
különben
A2
Usage pattern:
[statement], otherwise [result]
You need to wear a helmet, otherwise you could get hurt.
Sisakot kell viselned, különben megsérülhetsz.
Please be on time; otherwise, we will start without you.
Kérlek, érkezz időben; különben nélküled kezdünk.
I hope it doesn’t rain; otherwise, the picnic will be canceled.
Learner examples
Take an umbrella, otherwise you will get wet.
Vigyél magaddal esernyőt, különben megázol.
Be careful, otherwise you may fall.
Légy óvatos, különben eleshetsz.
Finish your homework, otherwise you cannot play games.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'otherwise' with 'therefore', but 'otherwise' talks about what happens if the first thing does not happen.
Meaning
if not; or else
Collocations
or otherwise
|unless otherwise stated
|otherwise known as
Synonyms
or else (Slightly more informal and can sound like a threat in some contexts.)
Antonyms
therefore (Indicates a result from a reason, opposite in logic to a conditional alternative.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say what will happen if something does not happen or is not true.
Used to indicate what will happen or be true if something does not happen or is not the case.
B1
2
egyébként
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is [adjective], but otherwise [adjective]
The test was hard, but otherwise it was fair.
A teszt nehéz volt, de egyébként korrekt volt.
She seemed tired, but otherwise happy.
Fáradtnak tűnt, de egyébként boldognak látszott.
The movie was boring, but otherwise well-made.
Learner examples
He is small, but otherwise healthy.
Kis termetű, de egyébként egészséges.
The book is long, but otherwise easy to read.
A könyv hosszú, de egyébként könnyen olvasható.
The room is old, but otherwise clean.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget that 'otherwise' here means 'in other ways', not 'if not'. Context is key.
Meaning
in another way
Collocations
otherwise occupied
|otherwise engaged
|otherwise identical
Synonyms
differently (Focuses only on being not the same, without the 'except for' meaning.)
Antonyms
similarly (Indicates being the same in ways rather than different.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a different way, or except for the thing mentioned.
In a different way or in all other ways except the one mentioned.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
Otherwise, [statement about different situation]
I would help you, but I’m otherwise engaged.
Segítenék neked, de más elfoglaltságom van.
Otherwise, I might have joined you for dinner.
Más körülmények között talán veletek tartottam volna vacsorára.
I might have gone to the party; otherwise, I stayed home because I was sick.
Learner examples
I wanted to come, but I was otherwise busy.
Szerettem volna eljönni, de más dolgom volt.
Otherwise, I would have called you.
Máskülönben felhívtalak volna.
I would help, but I am otherwise occupied.
Meaning
under other conditions
Synonyms
alternatively (Suggests another option rather than a hypothetical change in conditions.)
Antonyms
as is (Means keeping the current condition without change.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
If the situation were different.
In different circumstances; in another situation than the present one.
Grammar
Dictionary form
otherwise
IPA
GB/ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz/
US/ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
oth - er - wise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (oth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: otherwise
- Plural: otherwises
Word family
Expressions
otherwise known as
1/ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz nˈoʊn ˈæz/
fixed phrase
also called something else
Used to say another name for someone or something.
Examples
- Mark Twain, otherwise known as Samuel Clemens, wrote many famous books.
- The disease is otherwise known as chickenpox.
unless otherwise stated
1/ʌnlˈɛs ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz stˈeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
except if said differently
Except if something different is said before.
Examples
- Unless otherwise stated, all prices include tax.
- The offer is valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.
unless otherwise stated
2/ʌnlˈɛs ˈʌðɚwˌaɪz stˈeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
except if told differently
Used to say something is true except when a different instruction or information is given.
Examples
- All prices include tax unless otherwise stated.
- Participants must register online unless otherwise stated in the event details.