Words and Phrases to Express CHOICE

Words and Phrases to Express CHOICE

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Are you writing a lot of emails or essays? If you do, you must read today’s lesson because we will look at different words and phrases to show choice so you can consider using them in your writing.

1. Or
2. Whichever/Whoever/Wherever
3. Either …or
4. Neither …nor
5. Whether…or
6. Other than that
7. Otherwise
8. Or rather
9. As a choice
10. On the other hand

Or

Or is used to connect at least two alternatives.

• Which flavour of ice cream do you want – strawberry or banana?
• Which is better exercise – swimming, running or yoga?
• Are you coming? Yes or no?

Whichever/Whoever/Wherever …

Regardless of which person, thing, place, etc. you choose the result will be the same.

• It takes half an hour to drive to the village, whichever road you choose.
• Whoever gets back to the yard first will get the prize.
• Your mobile phone makes you available wherever you are.

Click here to learn how to use question words with ever

Either…or…

The correlative conjunction either…or… is used to say that there is a choice between two different plans or situations but they are not possible together. We have to choose one of them.

• Either my father or my mother will pick me up because one of them has to look after the baby.
• You are either with us or against us!

Words and Phrases to Express Choice

Neither…nor…

The correlative conjunction neither…nor… is used to say that not one of two or more alternatives is true.

• Karen was neither surprised nor worried about the news.
• The weather is nice today. It is neither hot nor cold.

Whether…or…

The correlative conjunction whether…or… is used to express a choice between two alternatives.

• It’s all up to you. You have to make a decision whether you want to study here or go abroad.
• Whether you will fail or pass the exam depends entirely on you.

Learn more about correlative conjunctions here

Other than that

The phrase other than that means in addition to what has been mentioned.

• You can go cross-country skiing; other than that, you can go skating at the local ice rink.
• I can help you with the cooking and dishes; other than that, I can pick up the children from school.

Otherwise

The adverb otherwise means in another or alternative way.

• We were going to play tennis but it rained so we decided to do otherwise – we played table tennis in David’s garage.
• This agency will insure you against any damage, accidental or otherwise.

Words and Phrases to Express Choice

Or rather

The phrase or rather is used for correcting something previously stated or giving more precise information.

• Sara is supposed to work on Monday, or rather, she’ll go to work if she doesn’t get better.
• Lorna is my relative, or rather, my niece.

As a choice

The phrases as a choice is used to introduce the first of two or more options.

• Simon saw his decision as a choice between going to college and his career.
• A balanced diet, exercise, and moderate activity came to be regarded as a choice that women should make.

On the other hand

The phrase on the other hand is used to make a contrasting point with another fact or a situation.

• I would love to lose some weight but on the other hand, I would like to eat something sweet every day.
• On the one hand, I  enjoy my part-time job as a waiter but on the other hand, I’d love to make more money.

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Words and phrases to express CHOICE