Otherwise

Question

Which kind of conjunction is the word "otherwise"?Button up your coat, otherwise you'll catch cold.Button up your coat, you'll catch cold, otherwise .

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

mehdi kordWhich kind of conjunction is the word "otherwise"?

It's called a conjunctive adverb. There are quite a few of them.

https://www.citationmachine.net/resources/grammar-guides/adverb/conjunctive/

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

mehdi kordButton up your coat, otherwise you'll catch cold.

Merriam-Webster calls that an adverb: "if not - do what I tell you, otherwise you'll be sorry" https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otherwise

The American Heritage Dictionary calls it a conjunction: "If not; or else." They do provide one of their excellent usage notes ( https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=otherwise ) wherein they call it an "conjunctive adverb". I would categorize it as a subordinating conjunction like "because" if I had to call it a conjunction. I told you before that there are times when the parts of speech model breaks down, and here we are. You should read the usage note at the link. I don't want to copy such a long passage here for copyright reasons.

mehdi kordButton up your coat, you'll catch cold, otherwise .

That is a comma splice. It should read "Button up your coat. You'll catch cold, otherwise." "Otherwise" is a regular adverb there. It is, however, still playing the same role in the meaning as when we thought it was a conjunction. You see the problem in labeling this word.

Otherwise

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