they would never otherwise have had.

[Maybo]

I'm learning the use of "otherwise". I found an example sentence:

The project had given children opportunities they would never otherwise have had. (dictionary)

I sometimes see that "otherwise" is placed in the middle or at the end of a sentence, but I don't know the difference between them.
Can "otherwise" be placed at the end of the sample sentence? Are there any differences in meaning?

 

[5jj]

Can "otherwise" be placed at the end of the sample sentence? Are there any differences in meaning?

Yes.
No.

 

[Maybo]

I'm trying to understand the meaning of "otherwise" in that sentence.

To me, the following sentences have the same meanings:

1. The project had given children opportunities they would never otherwise have had.
2. The project had given children opportunities they would never have had.

What are the differences in meaning between them?

 

[Tarheel]

I'm trying to understand the meaning of "otherwise" in that sentence.

To me, the following sentences have the same meanings:

1. The project had given children opportunities they would never otherwise have had.
2. The project had given children opportunities they would never have had otherwise.

What are the differences in meaning between them?

They mean the same to me.

 

[Maybo]

They mean the same to me.

I deleted “otherwise” on purpose.

 

[5jj]

1. The project had given children opportunities they would never otherwise have had.
2. The project had given children opportunities they would never have had.

What are the differences in meaning between them?

The second is incomplete. It needs 'otherwise' or 'in other circumstances' to complete the sense.

 

[Tarheel]

I deleted “otherwise” on purpose.

In your first post you asked if "otherwise" could be moved to a different part of the sentence (the end) and the sentence would still mean the same thing. You didn't ask if the sentence would mean the same thing if you removed it altogether. (It wouldn't.)

 

[jutfrank]

2. The project had given children opportunities they would never have had.

As 5jj says, this sentence is incomplete. By adding the word otherwise, you complete sentence with an idea along the lines of 'if the project had never existed'.