Conjunction 'oder' (or, alternative)
Konjunktion 'oder' (Alternative)
'oder' (or) offers an alternative between words, phrases or two main clauses; the stays normal.
Structure
Hauptsatz + oder + Hauptsatz (Wortstellung bleibt)
main clause + oder + main clause (word order stays the same)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Conjunction
- Word Type
- Coordinating conjunction
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
What it is. oder (or) is a coordinating . It offers an alternative or choice between two words, phrases or main clauses.
Word order. Like und, oder sits in position 0 and does not count as a sentence element. The clause after it keeps normal word order, with the still in position 2 - no inversion.
Examples.
- Wir gehen ins Kino oder wir bleiben zu Hause. - We go to the cinema or we stay at home.
- Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? - Would you like tea or coffee?
- Kommst du heute oder morgen? - Are you coming today or tomorrow?
Common mistakes.
- Do not invert the after oder: oder wir bleiben, not oder bleiben wir (in a statement).
- No comma is required before oder when it joins two main clauses.
- If the is the same, it can be left out: Wir gehen ins Kino oder bleiben zu Hause.
About Conjunction 'oder' (or, alternative)
'oder' (or) offers an alternative between words, phrases or two main clauses; the stays normal.
After 'oder' the normal is kept ( in position 2).
'oder' nennt eine Alternative zwischen Wörtern, Satzteilen oder zwei Hauptsätzen; die bleibt.
Caution
'oder' occupies 'position 0' and does not count as a sentence element; the verb after it stays in position 2.