Language Research

or · conjunction

/ɔːr/Full view

or (POSSIBILITIES)

A1 used between possibilities, or before the last in a list of possibilities

Dictionary examples:

Would you like tea or coffee?

Is that a boy or a girl?

You can have beer, wine or mineral water.

It was either 1982 or 1983 - I can't remember which.

There were ten or twelve people in the room.

It will only take three or four days.

Learner example:

I like to eat pasta or pizza, but I'm easy about food, I can eat anything. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

or (NOT EITHER)

A2 used after a negative verb to mean not one thing and also not another

Dictionary examples:

Tim doesn't eat meat or fish.

She doesn't have a telephone or a computer.

Learner example:

OH! and please don't wear jeans or white clothes. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)

or not

A2 used to express the possibility that something might not happen

Dictionary examples:

Are you going to reply or not?

I still don't know whether she's coming or not.

Learner example:

Are [you] busy or not that day? (Key English Test; A2; Singhalese)

or (WARNING)

B1 used to give someone a warning or advice

Dictionary example:

You should eat more, or you'll make yourself ill.

Learner example:

She called "Bill, come here or you'll be in trouble". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)

or (CHANGE)

B2 used to change or correct something you have said

Dictionary examples:

We told the truth, or most of it.

Rosalind, or Roz to her friends, took the initiative.

Things have been going quite well recently. Or they were, up until two days ago.

Learner example:

She is the one [who goes] around with all Rebecca's secrets. Or, almost all the secrets. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

or so

B1 approximately

Dictionary example:

They raised two hundred pounds or so for charity.

Learner example:

After an hour or so they changed the flight and new people came, then he realised that his suitcase was lost. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

or else

B2 used to say what will happen if another thing does not happen

Dictionary example:

We must be there by six, or else we'll miss the beginning.

Learner example:

[He] told me to hurry up, or else I would miss my bus. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

or (REASON)

C1 used to give a reason for something you have said

Dictionary example:

She must love him or she wouldn't have stayed with him all these years.

or two

C1 used to show a very small number, usually one or two

Dictionary example:

I'd like to say a word or two about loyalty.

Learner example:

Many fathers do not realize what they are missing by not demanding the privilege of staying at home with the child, at least for a month or two. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

or else

C2 used to compare two different things or situations

Dictionary example:

He talks to her all the time, or else he completely ignores her.

Learner example:

Naturally Olivia's leaving affects Douglas, though not as strongly as one could have expected or else he simply does not show it. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)