Or, Either One: vel, -ve, sive

Or, Choosing: Vel, -ve, Sive

Level 4

Use vel or -ve when either choice will do, and sive ... sive for whether ... or.

How It Works

WordMeaningExample
autone or the other, not bothaut Marcus aut Iulia
veleither one is fineMarcus vel Iulia
-vethe same, joined to a wordduo tresve
sive ... sivewhether ... orsive Romae sive Athenis

Aut says that one choice rules out the other. Vel and -ve do not mind which one you take.

The ending -ve is written on the second word, with no space: duo tresve.

Sive is used in pairs, and it can also stand in a condition, where it means or if.

Examples (5)

  1. Marcus vel Iulia cenam parat.

    Marcus or Iulia (either one) prepares dinner.

    Vel offers a choice that does not matter.

  2. Duo tresve pueri in horto sunt.

    Two or three boys are in the garden.

    The ending -ve is joined to tres.

  3. Sive Romae sive Athenis habitat, felix est.

    Whether he lives in Rome or in Athens, he is happy.

    Sive ... sive means whether ... or.

  4. Sive ergo vivimus, sive morimur, Domini sumus.

    So whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

    From Romans 14:8. Sive ... sive means whether ... or.

  5. Ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo, ibi sum in medio eorum.

    For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

    From Matthew 18:20. Vel joins duo and tres.

How It Connects

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

Or, Either One: vel, -ve, siveLevel 4Or, Choosing: Vel, -ve, Sive

Learn This First

Vel and -ve are more words for or.

Words in This Pattern

vel-vesive