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de lo contrario

adverbUpper-intermediate

What does “de lo contrario” mean in English?

  1. otherwise — in other circumstances; or else; if that is not the case

    otherwise — in other circumstances; or else; if that is not the case (hay que solicitar a tiempo; de lo contrario, se archiva)

Example sentences

  • Debes salir ahora; de lo contrario, llegarás tarde.

    You must leave now; otherwise you will be late.

  • Sigue las instrucciones al pie de la letra; de lo contrario, fallará.

    Follow the instructions to the letter; otherwise it will fail.

  • Paga antes del viernes; de lo contrario, se anulará el pedido.

    Pay before Friday; otherwise the order will be cancelled.

How to use it

'De lo contrario' means otherwise — if not, or else. It is a fixed three-word connective used to introduce the negative consequence of not fulfilling a condition. Equivalent to 'si no' (if not) but more formal. It usually begins the second clause.

Common mistake

Don't confuse 'de lo contrario' (otherwise/if not) with 'por el contrario' (on the contrary) — these introduce opposite logical relationships.

Topics

Related Upper-intermediate words

Reference

This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Nociones: condición y consecuencia.