ili ili

Either, Or

Level 3

Ili... ili... offers two choices: Ili ćemo kući, ili ćemo u kafanu.

How It Works

A single ili sits between two options: kafa ili čaj. The pair ili... ili... puts the word in front of both, so the choice sounds firm.

PatternExample
two wordsIli kafa, ili čaj.
two clausesIli ideš sa mnom, ili ostaješ kod kuće.
two placesIli ćemo u Mostar, ili u Jajce.

With two clauses, put a comma before the second ili. The verbs stay positive, because you are offering choices and not denying something.

The word order stays the usual order. Short answers often use only one part, such as Ili ti, ili ja, for you or me.

Examples (5)

  1. Ili ideš sa mnom, ili ostaješ kod kuće.

    Either you come with me, or you stay home.

    Each clause starts with ili.

  2. Ili ćemo u Mostar, ili u Jajce.

    Either we go to Mostar or to Jajce.

    The second part can be short.

  3. Ili kafa, ili čaj.

    Either coffee or tea.

    The pair puts both options on the table.

  4. Ili ti, ili ja.

    Either you or me.

    The pair works with pronouns.

  5. Ili sada, ili nikad.

    Either now or never.

    Ili... ili... is also used in short sayings.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ili iliLevel 3Either, Or

Learn This First

Ili ili links two options.

Words in This Pattern

ili