Knowing the etymological origin of the two words that give form to the term disjunctive nexus is the first thing we are going to do before going fully into the meaning of that one:
- Nexus, on the one hand, comes from Latin. Specifically, it comes from “nexum” or “nexus”, which can be translated as “tie” or “bond”.
-Disjunctive, on the other hand, comes from Latin. Exactly from “disiunctivus”, which is synonymous with “dilemma” or “quality of separating”. This word is the result of the sum of the following lexical components: the prefix “dis-”, which means “multiple separation”; the word “iunctus”, which is equivalent to “united” or “glued”; and the suffix “-tive”, which is used to indicate “passive or active quality”.
In this space we have already dealt with the temporal nexus , the subordinate nexus , the explanatory nexus , the consecutive nexus , the conditional nexus and the adversative nexus . Now it is time to focus on the disjunctive nexus .
It should be remembered that, in the field of grammar , a nexus is an element that, through its syntactic function, allows words, phrases or sentences to be linked. In the case of the disjunctive nexus, it is used to join statements that are not compatible with each other .
The disjunctive nexus, as its name indicates, poses a dilemma : one must opt for one thing or the other, but not for both simultaneously. The two fragments that it links cannot be specified or chosen at the same time.
For example: “We can go on vacation to Miami or Punta Cana” . In this case, the sentence presents two alternatives as possible vacation destinations: Miami and Punta Cana . The use of the disjunctive nexus “or” establishes that it is necessary to choose one of the two. Therefore, it is not possible to select both options and travel to both the United States and the Dominican Republic .
The disjunctive nexus, also called disjunctive conjunction , can establish a requirement . “Behave well or we won’t go to the cinema” is an expression that indicates to its recipient the obligation to behave appropriately if he or she intends to attend a film screening.
The phrase “or” is finally used as a disjunctive link: “I can pick you up at your house or we can meet at the door of the theatre” , “The government must raise taxes or reduce public spending” , “Registration can be done at the university headquarters or via the Internet” .
Other sentences that serve as examples of the use of the disjunctive nexus “either” are these:
-“You can call me at home or at work when you need to talk or need help.”
-“I can prepare a Spanish omelette or a delicious paella for you to eat.”
-“We can meet at the metro stop or directly at the cocktail bar.”
It is important to know that, in addition to “o” and “o bien”, the letter “u” can also function as a disjunctive nexus. Some clear examples of the use of this letter as such are the following:
-“Give me seven or eight apples.”
-“Manuel or Oliver are the best candidates to become party leaders”
-“I don’t know if I will vote for Antonio or Oscar in these upcoming municipal elections.”