Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
Two possible ways forward in Spanish
This guide helps parents offer clear choices to their children or other adults using paired conjunctions to present two distinct alternatives.
What you'll learn
- Learn to use the paired conjunction 'o... o...' to present alternatives.
- Practice coordinating nouns, verbs, and full clauses in Spanish.
- Express mutually exclusive possibilities clearly in daily routines.
Spanish phrases for two possible ways forward
O tocamos el timbre o llamamos a la puerta.
Either we ring the bell or we knock.
Uses 'o... o...' to link two complete actions.
Puedes o escribir tu respuesta o decirla en voz alta.
You can either write your answer or say it aloud.
'Decirla' combines the verb and the object pronoun 'la' (it/the answer).
O la oficina está cerrada o todos están arriba.
Either the office is closed or everyone is upstairs.
A common way to state two logical deductions.
Podemos quedar o en la entrada o junto a la puerta.
We can meet either at the entrance or by the gate.
'Quedar' is the standard verb for 'to meet up' or 'make an appointment'.
O llevas tú la carpeta o la llevo yo.
Either you carry the folder or I carry it.
The subject pronouns (tú/yo) are added for emphasis.
La cita es o el martes o el jueves.
The appointment is either on Tuesday or on Thursday.
Spanish uses the definite article 'el' for days of the week.
Podemos o preguntar ahora o dejar un mensaje.
We can either ask now or leave a message.
'Dejar un mensaje' is the standard way to say leave a message.
O esta llave sirve o necesitamos otra.
Either this key fits or we need another one.
'Servir' here means to work or be suitable for the purpose.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
timbre
doorbell
Derived from the word for stamp or bell tone.
carpeta
folder / file
A common false friend; it does not mean 'carpet' (which is 'alfombra').
quedar
to meet up / to stay
Very versatile verb for social arrangements.
en voz alta
aloud / out loud
Literally 'in high voice'.
Paired Coordination with 'O... O...'
To express 'either... or...' in Spanish, we use 'o' before the first option and another 'o' before the second. This emphasizes that there are only two choices. If the word following 'o' starts with an 'o' or 'ho' sound, the first 'o' becomes 'u' to aid pronunciation, though this is rare with this specific structure.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Connecting Nouns | o [sustantivo] o [sustantivo] | O té o café. |
| Connecting Verbs | o [verbo] o [verbo] | O corres o caminas. |
| Connecting Clauses | o [frase] o [frase] | O vienes con nosotros o te quedas aquí. |
More examples
¿Prefieres o la manzana roja o la verde?
Do you prefer either the red apple or the green one?
Natural way to offer fruit choices to a child.
O hacemos los deberes ahora o los hacemos después de cenar.
Either we do the homework now or we do it after dinner.
Setting boundaries with clear timing alternatives.
O nos vamos ya o perderemos el autobús.
Either we leave now or we will miss the bus.
Expressing a consequence through alternatives.