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Zazzex Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
A or B or Both?
Hello,
The following is an excerpt from The Elements of Style.
1. Would an honor system reduce the incidence of stealing or cheating or both?
Should the above be corrected to
2. "stealing, cheating, or both?"
Which of #1 or #2 is better?
What if we have many items to be listed?
"A, B, C, D, or all together?"
Is this correct?
Much oblidged to you.
The following is an excerpt from The Elements of Style.
1. Would an honor system reduce the incidence of stealing or cheating or both?
Should the above be corrected to
2. "stealing, cheating, or both?"
Which of #1 or #2 is better?
What if we have many items to be listed?
"A, B, C, D, or all together?"
Is this correct?
Much oblidged to you.
Top answer
You don't have to "compress" a list using listing commas; you can also write it out in full as "A or B or C or D" instead of "A, B, C[,] or D". Which is better is a matter of personal style. With long lists it is usually better to avoid the repetition and to use commas.
- You don't have to "compress" a list using listing commas; you can also write it out in full as "A or B or C or D" instead of "A, B, C[,] or D".
- Which is better is a matter of personal style.
- With long lists it is usually better to avoid the repetition and to use commas.
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2 Answers
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You don't have to "compress" a list using listing commas; you can also write it out in full as "A or B or C or D" instead of "A, B, C[,] or D". Which is better is a matter of personal style. With long lists it is usually better to avoid the repetition and to use commas.
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zazzex,
You've asked a number of questions from this book, asking if the passages need to be corrected. I can assure you, none of them do. While native speakers often make mistakes, and sometimes they even make their way past editors, this book has printed many, many times. It does not contain errors that need your corrections.
The very name of the book contains the word "Style.
You've asked a number of questions from this book, asking if the passages need to be corrected. I can assure you, none of them do. While native speakers often make mistakes, and sometimes they even make their way past editors, this book has printed many, many times. It does not contain errors that need your corrections.
The very name of the book contains the word "Style.
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