And/or

PalinkasocsiIn Hungarian we use the following 'and/or' structure:

I'm afraid your specific example doesn't make much sense to me but you will find the use of "and/or" in AmE. I can't speak for the other flavors of the language.

Thanks, RayH.

Palinkasocsi

It's the suspended hyphen that makes it so awkward.

X-related and/or Y-related is okay, but X- and/or Y-related is awful.

Yes, but the repetition of 'related' is at least that awkward.

Palinkasocsi

Well, we have to agree to disagree.

I find the suspended hyphen version terribly awkward. I'm not crazy about the repeated "related" but it's not confusing or awkward - just repetitive.

Did anyone have a solution using neither at English Forums?

Edited: Sorry - I mean using neither the suspended hyphen nor the reptition, not the word "neither" itself. But you probably go

Hm. I think the hyphen version is ok, as I have been reinforced on other forums. It is widely used in academic writing both in Hungarian and English. Duplication of words, however, generally counts as a mistake.

Take care,

Palinkasocsi

Hi guys,
These theories are thoroughly discredited by their operation- and/or construction-related obscurities.

I'd like to add a comment.

You can't 'speak' a floating hyphen. If this sentence is read aloud, for example when delivering an academic paper at a conference, it will sound the same as
These theories are thoroughly discredited by their operation and

Hi Clive,

I don't think that my solution would be "impenetrable" for those who read academic papers (it is quite frequently used there). It's a gross exaggeration. You know, their eyes are 'trained' for that. Anyway, thanks for your suggestion and though I use quite stiff language in my papers, I'll consider your version, too.

Take care,

Palinkasocsi

Hi,
I hope I didn't sound too offensive.

Best wishes, Clive

Oh no, not at all! You are always a great help.



Palinkasocsi