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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
The Use of the Word "Without"
Hi All,
Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with the word "and". In other words, I was told that the usage of the word "without" is the same as the usage of "neither...nor."
However, another one told me a different story. He claimed that the word "without" can be followed by either "and" or "or".
For example,
1. I can paint the picture without ink or color.
2. I can paint the picture without ink and color.
According to this person, both sentences are grammatically correct.
But sentence 1 has three possible interpretations. a) I can paint the picture without ink.
b) I can paint the picture without color.
c) I can paint the picture without the combination of both ink and color.
Sentence 2 only gives the third (c) interpretation.
What do you personally think about this? Can the word "without" be used only with "or", but not with "and"? or can the word "without" be used with either "and" or "or"?
Thanks in advance for your input
Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with the word "and". In other words, I was told that the usage of the word "without" is the same as the usage of "neither...nor."
However, another one told me a different story. He claimed that the word "without" can be followed by either "and" or "or".
For example,
1. I can paint the picture without ink or color.
2. I can paint the picture without ink and color.
According to this person, both sentences are grammatically correct.
But sentence 1 has three possible interpretations. a) I can paint the picture without ink.
b) I can paint the picture without color.
c) I can paint the picture without the combination of both ink and color.
Sentence 2 only gives the third (c) interpretation.
What do you personally think about this? Can the word "without" be used only with "or", but not with "and"? or can the word "without" be used with either "and" or "or"?
Thanks in advance for your input
Top answer
[nq:1]Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with the word "and". "[/nq] In your example you have correctly identified an ambiguity. " The two are not mutually exclusive.
- [nq:1]Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with the word "and".
- "[/nq] In your example you have correctly identified an ambiguity.
- " The two are not mutually exclusive.
- The good news is that the "neither, nor" combination will do the trick quite nicely, so there's no need for any further debate.
- "
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5 Answers
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[nq:1]Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with the word "and". In other words, I was told that the usage of the word "without" is the same as the usage of "neither...nor."[/nq]
In your example you have correctly identified an
ambiguity. However, that's a wholly different
issue from its "correctness." The two are not
mutually exclusiv
In your example you have correctly identified an
ambiguity. However, that's a wholly different
issue from its "correctness." The two are not
mutually exclusiv
00
[nq:1]Hi All, Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with ... can paint the picture without color. c) I can paint the picture without the combination of both ink and color.[/nq]
Those couldn't be three independent interpretations, since any interpretation has to account for all the meaning. So, taking them as separate propositions,
Sentence 1 i
Those couldn't be three independent interpretations, since any interpretation has to account for all the meaning. So, taking them as separate propositions,
Sentence 1 i
00
It's like I always say you never know, you know.
Skitt (in SF Bay Area) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/ I speak English well I learn it from a book!
Manuel (Fawlty Towers)
Skitt (in SF Bay Area) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/ I speak English well I learn it from a book!
Manuel (Fawlty Towers)
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On 2/8/03 3:15 am (UK time), Celery let loose these words:
[nq:1]Hi All, Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with ... 1. I can paint the picture without ink or color. 2. I can paint the picture without ink and color.[/nq]
IMM, either sentence is grammatical. In each case, if any interpretation is more 'correct', then it's
1. If I don't h
[nq:1]Hi All, Someone told me that the word "without" can only be used with the word "or", but not with ... 1. I can paint the picture without ink or color. 2. I can paint the picture without ink and color.[/nq]
IMM, either sentence is grammatical. In each case, if any interpretation is more 'correct', then it's
1. If I don't h
00
[nq:1]On 4/8/03 4:55 pm (UK time), John Lawler let loose these words: [/nq]
[nq:2]"Or" is ambiguous in all languages, and has several possible interpretations (exclusive vs inclusive).[/nq]
[nq:1] We have the words "or" and "xor", though the latter isn't commonly used in everyday speech.[/nq]
I nominate this for "Understatement of the Year" award. Can "xor" even properly be called a "w
[nq:2]"Or" is ambiguous in all languages, and has several possible interpretations (exclusive vs inclusive).[/nq]
[nq:1] We have the words "or" and "xor", though the latter isn't commonly used in everyday speech.[/nq]
I nominate this for "Understatement of the Year" award. Can "xor" even properly be called a "w
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