1

Here are the sentences:

  1. With sea otters to keep the population of sea urchins in check, kelp forests can flourish. In fact, even two years or less of sea otter presence can reduce the sea urchin threat.

Then should the following sentence be 2 or 3?

  1. However, without sea otters present, kelp forests run the danger of becoming barren stretches of coastal wasteland known as urchin barrens.

OR

  1. In other words, without sea otters present, kelp forests run the danger of becoming barren stretches of coastal wasteland known as urchin barrens.

I understand that "however" is used to contrast. "In other words" means "in short" or "another way of saying the same thing". Can someone demonstrate if "however" or "in other words" makes more sense with the sentences above? I think the "however" is used incorrectly here. If both are correct, how can that be? (However is for contrast and in other words is for saying the same thing)

Improve this question
14
  • 1
    It's a bad example, because it confuses / conflates the normally quite distinct meanings of however and in other words. Bottom line: however normally introduces new information which somehow contrasts/conflicts with earlier text. Your context is If A then B [linking term] If NOT A then NOT B. It's really a matter of opinion how to link those two assertions. You could just as well defend but, however, although as thus, therefore, that is to say, in other words.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 17:24
  • 2
    We can survive as long as we have oxygen. However/In other words, if we run out of oxygen, we die.
    – Chuckk Hubbard
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 17:56
  • 1
    'In other words' is incorrect here as 'without sea otters present, kelp forests run the danger of becoming barren stretches of coastal wasteland known as urchin barrens.' has not been stated previously in any form.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 19:30
  • 2
    Them's strong words, @EdwinAshworth. yourdictionary.com: "He has another appointment on Thursday. In other words, I don't think he'll be attending your gathering." The fact that he may not be attending the gathering is NOT mentioned in any form in the first sentence. This expression is used very commonly to introduce leaps of logic. thefreedictionary.com: " Henry: Sure I want to do it, but how much do I get paid? Andrew: In other words, you're just doing it for the money. Bill: Well, I suppose I really should prepare my entourage for departure. Bob: In other words, you're leaving?"
    – Chuckk Hubbard
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 22:27
  • 1
    @Chuck Hubbard I quite agree. The looser sense is encountered commonly in conversation. However, OP's example is in a far more formal register, and scientists tend to be precisionist.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 22:50

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
-2

HeyDoeFarm, to me 'lest' (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lest) would be a better word in this subject's context as opposed to "Hence" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence).

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.