or

Everyday

1. Or gives a choice between two or more things: tea or juice? tree →
2. Or means if not, otherwise: Hurry, or you'll be late. tree →
3. Or can give another word for the same thing: a joey, or baby kangaroo. tree →
4. «Either … or» gives exactly two choices; «whether or not» means in either case. tree →
5. (casual) «Or what?» at the end pushes a question: «you coming or what?»; «or something», «or whatever» mean roughly, I'm not sure. tree →
6. (rough) «Or else!» at the end is a threat: «Give it back, or else!» tree →
7. (formal) The exam voice says «alternatively», «otherwise», «failing which», «or, equivalently», «either … or …», «respectively». tree →

In the lessons

choosing between two possibilities («Do we add or subtract?»); in everyday life choices («now or later?»), warnings («wear a hat or you'll get burnt»); «more or less» (about), «or so» (about); in maths «either … or», «is it odd or even?»; in casual talk «or what?», «or something»; in rough talk «or else»; in the exam voice «alternatively», «failing which», «either A or B»

Examples

• First decide: are things coming together, or going away? tree →
• Do we add or subtract? tree →
• Do you want an apple or a banana? tree →
• Is 15 odd or even? tree →
• Put on sunscreen, or you will get sunburnt. tree →
• You can draw a cat, a dog or a horse. tree →
• We will be there in ten minutes or so. tree →
• A baby kangaroo, or joey, lives in its mum's pouch. tree →
• are you thick or what, it's 12 tree →
• Give my ball back, or else! tree →
• there's like 20 kids or something tree →
• Indicate whether the integer 15 is odd or even; failing which, no credit shall be awarded. tree →
• "Are you awake or asleep, One-Eye? tree →

Note

No operation clue. Trap: «2 or 3 apples» is an estimate, not 5 apples; «20 or something» and «10 minutes or so» are about, not exact. «or else» is a threat or a bluff, and «or what?» is pushing, not a real choice. Do not mix «or» with «oar» (a paddle for a boat) and «ore» (rock with metal): they sound the same.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it joins choices or lists, often in laws, such as "or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed."

Interpretation. Laws often use "or" to list every case a rule covers, so no case is left out.

Examples

• or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, (Torah LEV.21.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. (Torah EXO.22.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Know now whether it is thy son's coat or not.' (Torah GEN.37.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or doth the Almighty pervert justice? (Writings JOB.8.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, (Writings JOB.38.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or where were the upright cut off? (Writings JOB.4.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

No operation clue. Trap: «2 or 3 apples» is an estimate, not 5 apples; «20 or something» and «10 minutes or so» are about, not exact. «or else» is a threat or a bluff, and «or what?» is pushing, not a real choice. Do not mix «or» with «oar» (a paddle for a boat) and «ore» (rock with metal): they sound the same.