Let me know if otherwise. (2024)

" I wil do XXXX. Please let me know if otherwise."

Is it correct to say "if otherwise" when I want to ask my boss if he thinks differently?

I think it's okay.

Thanks.

lingobingo said:

That doesn't work. It would have to be "if I should do otherwise".

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What about this thread

I will let you know otherwise

lingobingo said:

I was referring to the text in the original post. Not to the use of "otherwise" in general. These things always depend on the context.

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It has the same context as my OP.

I will do xxxx. Please let me know if otherwise.

The example in that link:

• I will arrive on time. I will let you know otherwise. ​

This is ambiguous. Grammatically, it means: I'll let you know that something has changed, not if anything changes.

The same example with "if" added:

• I will arrive on time. I will let you know if otherwise. ​

This version is better because "otherwise" now means if this is not [going to be] the case.
However, what most people would probably say in real life is:

• I expect to arrive on time. I'll let you know if not. ​

Your example in this thread:

• I will do [something]. Please let me know if otherwise. ​

Again this is ambiguous. Grammatically, it means:

• I will do [something]. Please let me know if I don't. ​

Unlike in the other examples, the second sentence is not a statement of what "I" will do if something already stated (I will arrive on time) doesn't happen. Instead, it's a request for

to do something if "otherwise" — but there's no clue as to what "otherwise" means in this instance.

However, it

make sense (even not knowing what the something is!) if you do what I said in #2:

• I will do [something]. Please let me know if I should do otherwise. ​

I agree with lingobingo.

"Let me know otherwise" and "Let me know if otherwise" are not the same constructions. The second is ungrammatical and would not mean what you want it to.