Question

Combine the given sentences with the conjunction 'otherwise':
Wash your hands before every meal. You will fall sick. [Intermediate]

• A. Wash your hands before every meal, you will otherwise fall sick.
• B. Wash your hands; otherwise, before every meal, you will fall sick.
• C. Otherwise wash your hands before every meal, you will fall sick.
• D. Wash your hands before every meal; otherwise, you will fall sick.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Wash your hands before every meal; otherwise, you will fall sick.

A compound sentence is made up of independent clauses that can stand on their own as sentences. Alternative compound sentences express a choice between two alternate choices, like in the given sentences. 'Otherwise' is an alternative conjunction, here it presents a choice between "Wash...hands" and "fall sick". When the sentences are combined, they both must be parallel to one another in terms of their form or structure.
Option D is the correct answer as the sentences are parallel in structure. Option A has an error here: "you will otherwise...", because the conjunction must be placed before the clause begins and not in between, hence A is incorrect.
Similarly, option B has the same error, 'otherwise' is placed in between the first clause, instead of being in between both the clauses, hence B is incorrect. In option C, 'otherwise' is placed before the first clause, which does not require it, the effect "fall sick" happens if the first action "wash...hands" is not completed, hence it must be placed before the second clause. So option C is incorrect.