Does and/or mean "and and or", or "and or or"?
Does and/or mean "and and or", or "and or or&
Just think about it for a moment and then you might realize why your question is stupid.
"And and or" is generally false in colloquial English since most people who use "or" actually mean "exclusive or" (xor, where something can be either A or B but not both). Therefore "and or or" is correct.
In terms of logic, "and and or" would be:
((A and B) and (A xor B))
If A = 1 and B = 2 (picked random numbers),
((1 and 2) and (1 xor 2)) = (false and true) = false
If A = 2 and B = 2,
((2 and 2) and (2 xor 2)) = (true and false) = false
If A = 2 and B = 1,
((2 and 1) and (2 xor 1)) = (false and true) = false
If A = 1 and B = 1,
((1 and 1) and (1 xor 1)) = (true and false) = false
If people used "or" the way it is used in logic (can be A or B or both), you could just say "or" and you wouldn't need to say "and or or" since they would mean the same thing.
Hope that explains why and/or means "and or or."
In terms of logic, "and and or" would be:
((A and B) and (A xor B))
If A = 1 and B = 2 (picked random numbers),
((1 and 2) and (1 xor 2)) = (false and true) = false
If A = 2 and B = 2,
((2 and 2) and (2 xor 2)) = (true and false) = false
If A = 2 and B = 1,
((2 and 1) and (2 xor 1)) = (false and true) = false
If A = 1 and B = 1,
((1 and 1) and (1 xor 1)) = (true and false) = false
If people used "or" the way it is used in logic (can be A or B or both), you could just say "or" and you wouldn't need to say "and or or" since they would mean the same thing.
Hope that explains why and/or means "and or or."
Forgot to say why I included those equations. Those show why we don't use "and and or" -- because it would always be false!
<"And and or" is generally false in colloquial English since most people who use "or" actually mean "exclusive or" (xor, where something can be either A or B but not both). Therefore "and or or" is correct. >
"I'd like to win a BAFTA or an Oscar."
Is "or" being used in its exclusive sense, there?
"I'd like to win a BAFTA or an Oscar."
Is "or" being used in its exclusive sense, there?
So, it means exclusive "or" here, does it?
He uses her as an outlet for his frustration, anger, stress, impotency and/or lack of funds.
He uses her as an outlet for his frustration, anger, stress, impotency and/or lack of funds.
MikeyC, it's a matter of context. It is difficult to say if the person meant "or" or "exclusive or" based on one sentence. Yes, "or" can be used to mean just "or," but in most situations it is exclusive.
Do you want coffee or tea?
Are you traveling to Europe or Asia?
Do you want a red car or a blue car?
Do you want a red or blue car?
If "or" meant just "or," there would be no problem with answering "yes" to these questions. People would know you meant both. But in reality, if you answer just "yes," people will generally look at you funny and say, "Yes to which one?"
Fizz, if you took the time to read my previous posts and not just the first paragraph, you would already know the answer to that.
Do you want coffee or tea?
Are you traveling to Europe or Asia?
Do you want a red car or a blue car?
Do you want a red or blue car?
If "or" meant just "or," there would be no problem with answering "yes" to these questions. People would know you meant both. But in reality, if you answer just "yes," people will generally look at you funny and say, "Yes to which one?"
Fizz, if you took the time to read my previous posts and not just the first paragraph, you would already know the answer to that.
<"And and or" is generally false in colloquial English since most people who use "or" actually mean "exclusive or" (xor, where something can be either A or B but not both). >
'
Don't most people who use "or" actually mean inclusive "or"?
e.g.
"You must be 16 yrs old or have "b" in your name to enter this room."
'
Don't most people who use "or" actually mean inclusive "or"?
e.g.
"You must be 16 yrs old or have "b" in your name to enter this room."
<<MikeyC, it's a matter of context. It is difficult to say if the person meant "or" or "exclusive or" based on one sentence. Yes, "or" can be used to mean just "or," but in most situations it is exclusive. >>
Nota according to Zwicky. See here.
"The right theory of what or means in English is that it is in general inclusive but that sometimes the exclusive special case is conveyed as a conversational implicature."
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=35
Nota according to Zwicky. See here.
"The right theory of what or means in English is that it is in general inclusive but that sometimes the exclusive special case is conveyed as a conversational implicature."
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=35
Fizz, the articles you reference illustrate my point. While logically or is inclusive, in *colloquial* English it is more often exclusive (determined by context), hence why people say "and/or" when they really mean the inclusive or.
Geoffrey K. Pullum says, "English or really is inclusive, not exclusive, in its basic literal meaning." I agree with that and have never disagreed. Interesting how all his examples have dangerous consequences if the "wrong" answer is given.
Geoffrey K. Pullum says, "English or really is inclusive, not exclusive, in its basic literal meaning." I agree with that and have never disagreed. Interesting how all his examples have dangerous consequences if the "wrong" answer is given.
So what would this be for you, Entbark, inclusive or exclusive?
"the offer could only be taken up by someone who was over 21 or had two H's in his name."
"the offer could only be taken up by someone who was over 21 or had two H's in his name."