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French autrement quiz: differently, otherwise or much more?

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read ten contexts with autrement: distinguish a different method, an alternative consequence, an emphatic comparison and autrement dit.

In short

Autrement can mean “differently”, “otherwise” or “much more”, depending on its surroundings. With dit, it means “in other words”: look for a changed method, an unmet condition, a stronger quality or a restatement.

Two people move a table to rearrange a community room.
Doing something autrement can mean changing the method. Illustration: Atelier
Four readings
French exampleEnglish meaningClue
Nous procéderons autrement.We will proceed differently.A different way of doing something
Répondez vite ; autrement, nous reporterons la réunion.Reply quickly; otherwise, we will postpone the meeting.What happens if the instruction is not followed
Le problème est autrement complexe.The problem is much more complex.A stronger degree of an adjective
Le délai est dépassé, autrement dit, il est trop tard.The deadline has passed; in other words, it is too late.The fixed phrase autrement dit

The comparative reading can appear without plus: autrement difficile means much more difficult. You also meet autrement plus difficile. For the basic meaning contrasts, see the [Larousse entry for autrement](https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/autrement/6890).

  1. Question 1No account needed
    What changes here?Cette méthode ne fonctionne pas. Essayons autrement.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The way of doing it.. The failed method leads to trying a different approach. Here autrement modifies how the action is carried out.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    Replace the connector without changing the meaning.Confirmez avant midi ; autrement, votre place sera proposée à quelqu’un d’autre.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    sinon. The second clause gives the consequence if the confirmation does not arrive. Sinon expresses that alternative.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    Choose the meaning of the adjective phrase.Le second dossier est autrement délicat.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Much more delicate.. Before the adjective délicat, autrement can mark a much greater degree. It is not introducing an alternative consequence.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    What does the fixed phrase introduce?Le financement reste conditionnel ; autrement dit, il n’est pas encore garanti.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    A reformulation of the first clause.. Autrement dit signals a restatement. The second clause explains what conditional funding means here.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    Choose the closest paraphrase.Je ne peux pas faire autrement : le délai est fixé par le contrat.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Je ne peux pas agir d’une autre manière.. Ne pas pouvoir faire autrement means having no alternative way to act in the stated circumstances.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    Which sentence uses autrement to mean otherwise?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Vérifiez le total ; autrement, une erreur risque de passer inaperçue.. Only the third sentence gives a consequence of not doing the preceding action: if you skip the check, an error may be missed.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    Choose the intended comparison.Nous pensions régler un détail ; le problème est autrement sérieux.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The problem is much more serious than expected.. The first clause sets a low expectation, un détail. The second raises the degree of seriousness.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    Complete the restatement.Le service est réservé aux membres ; ___, il faut être adhérent pour l’utiliser.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    autrement dit. The second clause says the same restriction in another way. The fixed reformulating phrase is autrement dit.

  9. Question 9No account needed
    Read the manner comparison.Elle organise les tâches autrement que son prédécesseur.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    She organises the tasks in a different way from her predecessor.. The comparison concerns the manner of organising. The sentence does not quantify how many tasks there are.

  10. Question 10No account needed
    Choose the two meanings in order.Expliquez-le autrement ; autrement, le malentendu persistera.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    d’une autre façon ; sinon. The first occurrence asks for another way of explaining. The second introduces the consequence of failing to do so.

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