What does OTOH mean in CHAT

OTOH stands for “On The Other Hand”.

You can use OTOH in any type of text or conversation when you want to express two different sides or perspectives of an idea. It can be used to compare two different pieces of information that may contrast each other, such as competing points of view or facts, and it allows the reader to get a better understanding of both sides.

Yes, OTOH can definitely be used in formal writing if the situation calls for it. However, it is important to remember that it should only be used when there are viable contrasting ideas being presented, and not just added without reason into any sentence. Additionally, this phrase should always be written out fully (i.e., On The Other Hand) instead of abbreviated when using it in formal writing.

While OTOH consists of only three words, this abbreviation can often effectively convey complex ideas and opinions than other longer phrases or words could not do as quickly or concisely. That being said, if desired, this phrase could also potentially be replaced with similarly-flavored expressions such as “Conversely” or “Alternatively” depending on context and desired tone/style.

While both phrases ultimately mean the same thing ("to consider two opposing points"), adding the word ‘the' before hand adds an additional emphasis that is beneficial when contrasting two alternative views at length within a given piece of writing. Additionally, some people may prefer saying "on the other hand" instead because its shorter phrasing takes up less space on the page than would occur if saying "on one hand", making for easier readability.