Might not otherwise

Question

I have a problem understanding or using the expression "might not otherwise". Just wondering if someone could help.Thanks.

Teechr · Accepted Answer

Try putting "otherwise" at the start. If that still doesn't clarify it for you, please provide a sentence/context for us to work with.

CalifJim · Answer

nokiamight not otherwise

This phrasing suggests an implicit conditional construction.

might not otherwise ... ~
if the situation were otherwise (not as it is/was), maybe ... would not ...

Three examples follow.

1. In drawing up the documents, we recognized the possibility that the restrictions in Section 14 actually create problems where they might not otherwise exist. ~
In drawing up the documents, we recognized the possibility that the restrictions in Section 14 actually create problems where, if those restrictions were not in the document, maybe those problems would not exist.

2. People seemed to think I ought to record some of my experiences that might not otherwise be preserved. ~
People seemed to think I ought to record some of my experiences that, if I did not record them, maybe these experiences would not be preserved.

3. When the teacher encourages brainstorming, students may suggest ideas they might not otherwise have thought of. ~
When the teacher encourages brainstorming, students may suggest ideas that, if the teacher had not encouraged brainstorming, maybe the students would not have thought of.

CJ

Might not otherwise

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