Alternatives to "if not"

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realEnglish

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(Suppose I am a bad guy.) If I say to someone "Give it to me, or else/or/otherwise/if not I'll hit you." I would sound threatening.
If I say "It's about to rain. If you don't go out with an umbrella, you'll get wet." Here I use "if not". what's the alternative word I can use without sounding like I threaten someone? (I don't have to threaten anyone when it's about to rain.)
 

Tarheel

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(Suppose I am a bad guy.) If I say to someone "Give it to me, or else/or/otherwise/if not I'll hit you." I would sound threatening.
If I say "It's about to rain. If you don't go out with an umbrella, you'll get wet." Here I use "if not". what's the alternative word I can use without sounding like I'm threatening someone?

Telling someone to use their umbrella doesn't seem threatening to me.
 
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realEnglish

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Could those words/terms be interchangeable in this case?
 

Tarheel

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Could those words/terms be interchangeable in this case?

I'm guessing you mean or else, or, otherwise, and if not.

No, I don't think they are interchangeable. For example, or else is used like this:

Give me that, or else!

The threat is usually implied. However, or is used differently. Perhaps:

Give me that or I'll hit you!

Notice the difference?

(I don't think either otherwise or if not are used in such situations.
 

realEnglish

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I'm guessing you mean or else, or, otherwise, and if not.
Yes.

No, I don't think they are interchangeable. For example, or else is used like this:

Give me that, or else!

The threat is usually implied. However, or is used differently. Perhaps:

Give me that or I'll hit you!

Notice the difference?

(I don't think either otherwise or if not are used in such situations.
I think I have learned how to use "or else" and "or", and not to use "otherwise" or "if not" to express threat.
 
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fortheboss

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Rather than sounding threatening, this is simply being precocious and helpful to the other party. This is generally seemed as a kind act :)
 

Rover_KE

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Rather than sounding threatening, this is simply being precocious and helpful to the other party. This is generally [STRIKE]seemed[/STRIKE] seen as a kind act. [STRIKE]:)[/STRIKE]
Please don't use a smiley to replace a standard punctuation mark.
 

Tarheel

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Rather than sounding threatening, this is simply being precocious and helpful to the other party. This is generally seen as a kind act :)

I am puzzled about why you used "precocious" there.

Welcome to the forum!
:hi::
 
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Charlie Bernstein

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Rather than sounding threatening, this is simply being precocious and helpful to the other party. This is generally seemed as a kind act :)
Welcome, Boss!

Do you mean that saying "or else" is precocious, helpful, and kind? I haven't heard it used that way. (The answer to "Or else what?" is usually unpleasant.)

Do you have any examples?
 
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