What is the difference between the words 'unless' and 'otherwise'?

Answer 1

Unless is a conjunction. Otherwise is not. It is an attributive, that is, an adverb and adjective. Used as a conjunction, unless means except on the condtion that. * I will go to the beach today unless it rains. * You will have to take the final exam unless you have an A average. Used as an adverb, otherwise means 1. differently; 2. under other circumstances; and 3. in other respects. Used as an adjective, it means other than supposed; different. * Bob thought the action movie was great, but his girlfriend thought otherwise. (sense #1) * The brutally hot weather spoiled what would have been a great event otherwise. (sense #2) * Jane's short temper detracted from her otherwise excellent reputation as a hard worker. (sense #3) * The rookie cop thought his suspect was the rapist, but the DNA showed otherwise. (adjective) And this example (killing two birds with one stone): * Unless your father says otherwise, you will stay in your room the rest of the day.