Or, Either One: vel, -ve, sive
Or, Choosing: Vel, -ve, Sive
Use vel or -ve when either choice will do, and sive ... sive for whether ... or.
How It Works
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| aut | one or the other, not both | aut Marcus aut Iulia |
| vel | either one is fine | Marcus vel Iulia |
| -ve | the same, joined to a word | duo tresve |
| sive ... sive | whether ... or | sive 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)
- Marcus vel Iulia cenam parat.
Marcus or Iulia (either one) prepares dinner.
Vel offers a choice that does not matter.
- Duo tresve pueri in horto sunt.
Two or three boys are in the garden.
The ending -ve is joined to tres.
- Sive Romae sive Athenis habitat, felix est.
Whether he lives in Rome or in Athens, he is happy.
Sive ... sive means whether ... or.
- 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.
- 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
Learn This First
Vel and -ve are more words for or.