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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

mom [and/or] dad

Jimmy, you cannot tell mom [and/or] dad about the secret. I'll be grounded for life.

Are both conjunctions acceptable and convey the same meaning?

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

Hi, Jimmy, you cannot tell mom [and/or] dad about the secret. I'll be grounded for life. Are both conjunctions acceptable and convey the same meaning?

— Clive

  • Hi, Jimmy, you cannot tell mom [and/or] dad about the secret.
  • I'll be grounded for life.
  • Are both conjunctions acceptable and convey the same meaning?
  • This is one of those questions that is more about logic than about language.
  • ' Clive
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2 Answers
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Hi,

Jimmy, you cannot tell mom [and/or] dad about the secret. I'll be grounded for life.

Are both conjunctions acceptable and convey the same meaning?

This is one of those questions that is more about logic than about language. In practice, whatever conjunction is used, Jimmy is not going to have any trouble under
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I think I understand what you mean. In this case, both conjuctions are fine because mom and dad are usually thought of as a single entity, thus and doesn't create a problem. However in cases like the following, the meaning is be different.

I cannot eat peanut butter [and/or] chocolate. I'll have difficulty breathing.

Using and suggests having peanut butter and choc
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