Discussion of 要么...要么.../要麼...要麼...

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"要么……要么……" versus "不是……就是……"

When we use "要么……要么……", the speaker has already made a clear judgement him/herself, and waits for others to provide a response or opinion.
Example:
你要么自己来，要么委托别人办理这件事 [phr] Either you come in person or you entrust someone else with the matter.

When "不是……就是……" is used, there are three possibilities:
1. the speaker has already made a clear judgement him/herself, and waits for others to provide a response or opinion. In this case, "要么……要么……" and "不是……就是……" are interchangeable.
Example:
你不是自己来，就是委托别人办理这件事 [phr] Either you come in person or you entrust someone else with the matter.

2. the speaker is guessing or has some doubts, and is waiting for others to provide a clear decision or response.
Example:
他这时候不是在咖啡馆儿，就是在饭馆。 [phr] This moment, he is either in the cafe or the restaurant.

3. the speaker is describing a factual situation:
Example:
最近很无聊，不是吃饭，就是睡觉。 [phr] I feel very bored recently. I either eat or sleep.

lisaC

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