else
gb/ˈɛls/ us/ˈɛls/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
in addition; besides
Used to talk about something more or different from what you said before.
Usage pattern:
[something] else
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'else' with 'also'. 'Else' usually means 'different' or 'additional option', while 'also' means 'in addition' without implying difference.
Synonyms
besides (Implies adding to what was mentioned, often used interchangeably but can sound slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
same (Indicates no difference or addition, opposite to 'else' meaning 'different'.)
Collocations
someone else
|anything else
|nothing else
|somewhere else
|something else
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Do you want anything else with your coffee?
- Is there anyone else coming to the meeting?
- We went somewhere else for lunch.
- She had nothing else to say.
- I can't think of anything else right now.
Learner examples
- Do you want something else?
- Is there someone else here?
- We went somewhere else.
- I have nothing else.
- He wants something else.
adverb
A2
relation
2
different; instead
Used to talk about a different person or thing from the one you said before.
Usage pattern:
[something] else
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'else' with 'other'. Remember: 'else' is used after words like someone, somewhere, anything.
Synonyms
other (Means 'different', but often used as an adjective rather than an adverb.)
Antonyms
same (Indicates no difference; opposite of 'else' meaning 'different'.)
Collocations
someone else
|somewhere else
|something else
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I thought it was John, but it was someone else.
- We should try somewhere else for dinner.
- If you can't do it, I'll ask someone else.
- She wanted a red dress, but took something else instead.
- There's nothing else I can do.
Learner examples
- It is someone else.
- We went somewhere else.
- I want something else.
- Ask someone else.
- He lives somewhere else.
conjunction
B1
relation
3
if not; otherwise
Used to say what will happen if something is not true or not done.
Usage pattern:
[command/statement], else [result]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes place 'else' incorrectly in the sentence. In this meaning, it usually comes after a command or statement and before the consequence.
Synonyms
otherwise ('Otherwise' is slightly more formal and flexible in sentence position.)
Collocations
hurry up, else you'll be late
|do it now, else you'll forget
Themes
daily life
|warnings
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- You need to leave now, else you'll miss the train.
- Pay attention, else you might make a mistake.
- We have to hurry, else we'll be late.
- Finish your homework, else you can't go out.
- Wear a coat, else you'll catch a cold.
Learner examples
- Hurry up, else we will be late.
- Study hard, else you will fail.
- Eat now, else you will be hungry.
- Come early, else we will start without you.
- Listen carefully, else you will not understand.
Grammar
Dictionary form
else
IPA
GB/ˈɛls/
US/ˈɛls/
Syllables & stress
else (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (else)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: else
- Plural: elses
Word family
Forms
elses
noun
Core family
elsewhere
adverb B1
Expressions
anything else
1/ˈɛniθˌɪŋ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
any other thing or matter
Another thing or matter that is different or extra from what we said before.
Examples
- Would you like anything else with that?
- Do you need anything else before we go?
someone else
1/sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
a different person
Another person who is different from the one we talked about before.
Examples
- I thought you were John, but you're someone else.
- Can I speak to someone else about this problem?
somewhere else
1/sˈʌmwˌɛɹ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
a different place
A place that is different from the one we talked about before.
Examples
- Let's go somewhere else for dinner.
- They moved the meeting somewhere else.
or else
1/ˈɔɹ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
'If not' with implied threat/result
Used to say what bad thing will happen if something is not done.
Examples
- You'd better finish your work, or else you'll get a bad grade.
- You had better finish your work, or else you'll be in trouble.
- Put on your coat, or else you'll catch a cold.
- We need to leave now, or else we'll miss the start of the show.
something else
1/sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
informal
A different thing than before mentioned one
A different thing from the one already talked about.
Examples
- If you don’t like this shirt, I can show you something else.
- We need to try something else if this doesn’t work.
something else
2/sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
a different or extra thing
A thing that is different from what has been talked about before, or extra to it.
Examples
- I don't want tea. Give me something else.
- They offered me a job, but I wanted something else.