Take a hold on your tongue else/otherwise I will smash your head.

Hi,
Take a hold of your tongue or else/otherwise I will smash your head.
Either is OK, but put 'or' in front of the one you choose. The 'or' is occasionally omitted.

The more usual expression is simply 'Hold your tongue'.

It's an odd sentence, because the first part sounds a bit old-fashioned and formal, while the second part sounds aggressive and threatening.

CliveIt's an odd sentence, because the first part sounds a bit old-fashioned and formal, while the second part sounds aggressive and threatening.

How's that?

Take a hold of your tongue or else it can lead you to trouble.
Take a hold of your tongue or else consequences can be against you.

Hi,
How's that?

Take a hold of your tongue or else it can lead you to trouble.
Take a hold of your tongue or else consequences can be against you.

Both of the above sound awkward.
Use the more definite 'will'.
Hold your tongue or else it will lead you into trouble.
Hold your tongue or else there will be adverse consequences.

Clive

CliveHold your tongue or else it will lead you into trouble.

Can to be used instead of into without affecting the meaning?

Hi,
'To' suggests that trouble will be your destination.

'Into' suggests that you will be 'in the middle of trouble', 'surrounded by trouble'.

Clive

Don't you think in the given sentence using either into or to doesn't really change the meaning, i.e. If he doesn't take a hold of his tongue then he is destined to trouble sooner or later equals If he doesn't take a hold of his tongue then he will find himself surrounded by trouble?

Thank you for the help.

Hi,

Yes, it doesn't really make any difference here.

I keep trying, with no successs, to get you to avoid the awkward phrase, 'Take a hold of your tongue'.

Clive

Thank you. Your suggestion was well-taken. It was just that I forgot to rephrase the expression.

Best regards,
Jackson

hi, i would like to know what if in teh above sentence i dont use 'or' , does it make teh sentence wrong?

for example : go to him straight , else mail him on the following email address.

instead of
go to him straight , or else mail him on the following email address.

is the first sentence correct as well????

As a casual reply in spoken English they are acceptable enough, but when writing carefully I concur with Clive's initial correction. Even in spoken English, the phrase 'or else' approaches fixed status:

A: You'd better finish your dinner, or else...
B: Or else what?
A: Or else you won't get any dessert.

PS: In respons