disjunctive conjunction

8.9

A word that connects two choices, like 'or'

noun
/dɪsˈdʒʌŋktɪv kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

Specialized

: conjunción disyuntiva

'Or' is the most common disjunctive conjunction in English, used to offer choices between two options.

Examples

In grammar, 'either...or' is an example of a disjunctive conjunction presenting mutually exclusive possibilities.
When you use a disjunctive conjunction, you typically present alternatives, such as in the phrase 'tea or coffee'.
A disjunctive conjunction is used to present alternatives.
You can use a disjunctive conjunction to show choices.
'Or' is the most common disjunctive conjunction in English, used to offer choices between two options.
In grammar, 'either...or' is an example of a disjunctive conjunction presenting mutually exclusive possibilities.
When you use a disjunctive conjunction, you typically present alternatives, such as in the phrase 'tea or coffee'.

Antonyms

conjunctive

Specialized

1 7.1

To join words or clauses in a sentence

How Exclusive

disjunctive conjunction

Specialized

8.9

correlative

2 7.2

coordinating conjunction

Specialized

1.0

Surface Forms

disjunctive conjunction singular

disjunctive conjunctions plural

Morphology

disjunctive + conjunction

The compound is fully compositional: 'disjunctive' means relating to separation/distinction and 'conjunction' is a word that connects elements, so together they denote a connector that signals alternatives or separation (e.g. 'or' / 'either...or'). Although it's a technical grammatical term, the meaning is directly derivable from the constituent parts and has clear cross-linguistic equivalents, so a learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

The noun disjunctive conjunction combines disjunctive (showing a split) and conjunction (a word that joins). Imagine a road sign with two arrows and the word 'or' between them pointing to different choices, so a disjunctive conjunction links choices like 'tea' or 'coffee'.