sinon

In a sentence

• Nous devons partir maintenant, sinon nous serons en retard.

  We must leave now, otherwise we will be late.

  In this sentence, 'sinon' is used to mean 'otherwise', presenting a consequence if the first condition ('leaving now') is not met.

• Je crois qu'il est médecin, sinon avocat.

  I believe he is a doctor, if not a lawyer.

  In this sentence, 'sinon' is used to mean 'if not', suggesting an alternative possibility or option ('lawyer') to the first statement.

• Elle ne fait que des activités sportives pendant ses loisirs, sinon elle lit beaucoup.

  She does only sports during her free time; otherwise, she reads a lot.

  Here, 'sinon' is used to denote an alternative activity ('reading') when the primary condition or situation ('doing sports') does not occur.