Inclusive or exclusive?

[Harald]

Earlier today I was on a lecture in probability theory and during the lecture she who held the lecture asked if when using "or" in everyday language we use it inclusively or exclusivly. "Pretty obvious" I thought to myself, but when another student answerd the question and said the opposite of what I thought and the teacher agreed.

This made me curious so here I am asking you. When you use "or" in everyday speech do you mean "inclusive or" or "exclusive or"?

EDIT: Darn it, the question was to long. It's supposed to read:
Do you mean "inclusive or" or "exclusive or" when using "or" in everyday speech?

 

[brennan]

XOR4567890

 

[warpus]

Depends on the context. Usually inclusive though.

 

[kuukkeli]

Exclusive or for me.

 

[nonconformist]

How can you have an inclusive or?

I was under the impression or was EITHER X OR Y

 

[Phlegmak]

Earlier today I was on a lecture in probability theory and during the lecture she who held the lecture asked if when using "or" in everyday language we use it inclusively or exclusivly. "Pretty obvious" I thought to myself, but when another student answerd the question and said the opposite of what I thought and the teacher agreed.

This made me curious so here I am asking you. When you use "or" in everyday speech do you mean "inclusive or" or "exclusive or"?

EDIT: Darn it, the question was to long. It's supposed to read:
Do you mean "inclusive or" or "exclusive or" when using "or" in everyday speech?

Inclusive or doesn't exist in English.

 

[LucyDuke]

Either or both.

 

[holy king]

please give me an example of an inclusive "or"?

 

[Swedishguy]

I don't use neither in everyday speech.

 

[Dubai Vol]

Depends on the context. "If this or that, then the other" is an inclusive or. Meaning if either this or that is true then the other is true. But "If this, then that or the other" is considered an exclusive or.

"If you're black or white, you are entitled to equal treatment." Inclusive.

"If you want dessert, you can have pie or cake." Generally exclusive.

Pie for me, please.

 

[Phlegmak]

Depends on the context. "If this or that, then the other" is an inclusive or. Meaning if either this or that is true then the other is true. But "If this, then that or the other" is considered an exclusive or.

"If you're black or white, you are entitled to equal treatment." Inclusive.

"If you want dessert, you can have pie or cake." Generally exclusive.

Pie for me, please.

No. The bolded sentence obviously means someone can be black but not white simultaneously. It's exclusive.

This is inclusive or: "You can have brownies or cookies." and the speaker means "you may eat brownies, cookies, or both." Clearly inclusive or doesn't exist in English. I think I've stated everything that needs to be stated.

 

[holy king]

Depends on the context. "If this or that, then the other" is an inclusive or. Meaning if either this or that is true then the other is true. But "If this, then that or the other" is considered an exclusive or.

"If you're black or white, you are entitled to equal treatment." Inclusive.

"If you want dessert, you can have pie or cake." Generally exclusive.

Pie for me, please.

ah thanks...
is this still considered grammatics or syntax?

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Inclusive or doesn't exist in English.

Yes it does. "Do you want milk or sugar in your coffee?" sounds like XOR if you say something like "milk, or sugar" and IOR if you say something like "milk-or-sugar". And in answer to the poll, definitely both, though XOR is more common.

 

[Phlegmak]

Yes it does. "Do you want milk or sugar in your coffee?" sounds like XOR if you say something like "milk, or sugar" and IOR if you say something like "milk-or-sugar". And in answer to the poll, definitely both, though XOR is more common.

That's a good example. I think you've convinced me. However, the answerer must say "both" to get both, as opposed to something like "yes". I think in your example, if it's inclusive or exclusive, then "both" would be the same answer if the answerer wanted both. But then the speaker could mean inclusive if he's allowing the answerer to have both if he wants. So I guess, yes, it could be inclusive.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I use either depending on context.

Which, of course, makes the "or" in the thread title inclusive.

 

[StarWorms]

Anyone want to explain the difference between inclusive and exclusive ors? They all look the same to me: You can have milk, or you can have sugar.

 

[LucyDuke]

Anyone want to explain the difference between inclusive and exclusive ors? They all look the same to me: You can have milk, or you can have sugar.

We can go by car or bus. Exclusive. It's one or the other, not both.

You can have cream or sugar. Inclusive. It's one or the other or both.

 

[Defiant47]

Usually inclusive. If it's specifically exclusive I say "xor" but a lot of people don't really understand.

I'm going to go to the concert xor hang out later tonight at the club.

 

[Arwon]

The exclusive usage is less marked. That's why we have the clunky construction "and/or" as well.

 

[Theige]

It seems from what people are saying, the exclusive or is the true "or" statement

While the inclusive or requires a 3rd option, and is therefore not a true "or" statement

At least thats what I think based on my limited knowledge