English grammar
Warnings with an imperative:...or (else)... /...and...
Make a half-joking warning or threat, using an imperative and or (else).
From the scene If you don't pay me…!
In short
Turn a warning into a command + or (else) + result: Pay me, or I'll tell Nuria! Use and for a consequence.
Your turn
Which one goes with or else makes the threat stronger?
Options: pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest · pay me, or I'll tell Nuria! · charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know
Show answer
or else makes the threat stronger → pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest
How it works
In spoken English you can turn a warning into a short command followed by the consequence: pay me, or I'll tell Nuria! (= if you don't pay me...).
Good to know
Or else makes it even stronger.
Good to know
The same pattern works with and for a consequence you don't want: charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know.
an imperative + or for a warning pay me, or I'll tell Nuria!
Tomás
That's what you said in November. Pay me, or I'll tell Nuria!
Eso dijiste en noviembre. ¡Como no me pagues, se lo digo a Nuria!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's what you said in November. (blank)!
Options: Charge me for the oranges · Pay me, or I'll tell Nuria · Or else I'll charge you interest
Show answer
Tomás
That's what you said in November. Pay me, or I'll tell Nuria!
Eso dijiste en noviembre. ¡Como no me pagues, se lo digo a Nuria!
or else makes the threat stronger pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest
Tomás
Then pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest.
Pues págame hoy, que si no, te cobro intereses.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Then (blank).
Options: and I won't tell you what I know · pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest · pay me, or I'll tell Nuria
Show answer
Tomás
Then pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest.
Pues págame hoy, que si no, te cobro intereses.
an imperative + and for a consequence charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know
Elena
Me? Charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know.
¿Yo? Como me cobres las naranjas, no te cuento lo que sé.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Me? (blank).
Options: Pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest · Charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know · Pay me, or I'll tell Nuria
Show answer
Elena
Me? Charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know.
¿Yo? Como me cobres las naranjas, no te cuento lo que sé.
three months with nothing paid you owe me three months of fruit
Tomás
Javi, you owe me three months of fruit.
Javi, me debes tres meses de fruta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank).
Options: or else I'll charge you interest · you owe me three months of fruit · pay me, or I'll tell Nuria
Show answer
Tomás
Javi, you owe me three months of fruit.
Javi, me debes tres meses de fruta.
to add interest to a debt I'll charge you interest
Tomás
Then pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest.
Pues págame hoy, que si no, te cobro intereses.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Then pay me today, or else (blank).
Options: Charge me for the oranges · I'll charge you interest · Or I'll tell Nuria
Show answer
Tomás
Then pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest.
Pues págame hoy, que si no, te cobro intereses.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| an imperative + or for a warning | pay me, or I'll tell Nuria! |
|---|---|
| or else makes the threat stronger | pay me today, or else I'll charge you interest |
| an imperative + and for a consequence | charge me for the oranges, and I won't tell you what I know |
| three months with nothing paid | you owe me three months of fruit |
| to add interest to a debt | I'll charge you interest |
More lines from the story
- TomásNot you. Pay today, or I'll put you to work selling fruit here with me.A ti, no. Como no pagues hoy, te pongo a vender fruta aquí conmigo.
- JaviBrother, I'll pay you next week.Hermano, te pago la semana que viene.