or else

This page is about the conversational phrase or else

Meaning

You can use this to say something must be true, because if it wasn't true something else would or wouldn't have happened.

For example

  • "They must be coming, or else they'd have called us, wouldn't they? They're just late, that's all."

  • "Do you think this beach is safe?"
    "It must be, or else they wouldn't let us swim here, would they?"

Note:
A synonym of "otherwise"

Quick Quiz

"He must be feeling better, or else he wouldn't have

a. gone to work."

b. gone to hospital."

c. gone home early."
a) gone to work." b) gone to hospital." c) gone home early."

Contributor: Matt Errey