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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
"Respectively"
It seems the adverb "respectively" is generally used with the conjuction "and", but can it be used with "or"? Which is correct?
1. In the absence of the business director or the sales director, these duties may be performed by the senior manager OR the marketing director, respectively.
2. In the absence of the business director or the sales director, these duties may be performed by the senior manager AND the marketing director, respectively.
At first, I typed "or" but the more I thought about it, the word "and" seemed preferable. I would love to know if there is a grammar rule in this case. Thanks!
1. In the absence of the business director or the sales director, these duties may be performed by the senior manager OR the marketing director, respectively.
2. In the absence of the business director or the sales director, these duties may be performed by the senior manager AND the marketing director, respectively.
At first, I typed "or" but the more I thought about it, the word "and" seemed preferable. I would love to know if there is a grammar rule in this case. Thanks!
Top answer
** ( Edit: changed my mind) "Respectively" is not used in an "either or" situation, but in cases in which the two choices are specifically sequenced. We're talking about two different jobs, A and B. In the absence of person (a), his duties may be performed by person (c); and in the absence of person (b), his duties may be performed by person (d).
- ** ( Edit: changed my mind) "Respectively" is not used in an "either or" situation, but in cases in which the two choices are specifically sequenced.
- We're talking about two different jobs, A and B.
- In the absence of person (a), his duties may be performed by person (c); and in the absence of person (b), his duties may be performed by person (d).
- Hmmmm, I guess you understand that.
- " The sentence is meant to cover situations in which only the business director is absent, or only the sales director is absent, or both are absent.
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3 Answers
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**I don't think either one is correct.** (Edit: changed my mind)
"Respectively" is not used in an "either or" situation, but in cases in which the two choices are specifically sequenced.
We're talking about two different jobs, A and B.
In the absence of person (a), his duties may be performed by person (c); and in the absence of person (b), his duties may be performed by
"Respectively" is not used in an "either or" situation, but in cases in which the two choices are specifically sequenced.
We're talking about two different jobs, A and B.
In the absence of person (a), his duties may be performed by person (c); and in the absence of person (b), his duties may be performed by
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Hello again, thanks for your reply, but I'm not sure what your final answer is. Is it that you think neither sentence is correct, or that the correct answer is "and"? If so, how would you recommend expressing this without sounding too repetitive: If a is absent, c can perform his duties. If b is absent, d can perform his duties. I'm not sure I would agree that finding an example of usage online me
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Sorry about that!
In your specific example, as it stands, the correct answer is "and."
In the vast majority of uses, it will be "A and B respectively."
However, I feel that there are rare cases in which "A or B respectively" will work.
(That was not my opinion when I first read your question; hence the search for examples.)
In your specific example, as it stands, the correct answer is "and."
In the vast majority of uses, it will be "A and B respectively."
However, I feel that there are rare cases in which "A or B respectively" will work.
(That was not my opinion when I first read your question; hence the search for examples.)
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