An otherwise perfect day.

[learningspirit]

Definition 3 of this dictionary for "otherwise" reads:

used for saying that something is true except for the fact that you have just mentioned

Let's consider these two sentences:

1. An accident marred an otherwise perfect day.
2. An otherwise perfect day was marred by an accident.

The definition suggests that reference to the exceptional quality/fact should come before the appearance of "otherwise". But in sentence 2, the reference to the exceptional quality/fact (an accident) comes after the appearance of "otherwise". So, is sentence 2 poorly written, and only sentence 1 is standard English?

 

[tedmc]

Re: Otherwise

1. An accident marred an otherwise perfect day.


'An accident' (subject) should come first for the sentence to sound logical.

not a teacher

 

[bhaisahab]

Re: Otherwise

I'd say that they are both OK.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Otherwise

This is the second thread you have posted with the same title. I have changed it to avoid confusion.