0
Contraposition Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
without A or B
Does 'without A or B' mean 'BOTH A and B being absent' or 'A being absent OR B being absent'?
Top answer
The 'without A or B' phrase is ambiguous. In common use (if there is such a thing), I would say the word 'both' would make the sentence clear: 'Without both A and B' means both are absent. 'Without either A or B' means just one is absent.
- The 'without A or B' phrase is ambiguous.
- In common use (if there is such a thing), I would say the word 'both' would make the sentence clear: 'Without both A and B' means both are absent.
- 'Without either A or B' means just one is absent.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
The 'without A or B' phrase is ambiguous.
In common use (if there is such a thing), I would say the word 'both' would make the sentence clear:
'Without both A and B' means both are absent.
'Without either A or B' means just one is absent.
In common use (if there is such a thing), I would say the word 'both' would make the sentence clear:
'Without both A and B' means both are absent.
'Without either A or B' means just one is absent.
00
wilpeter'Without either A or B' means just one is absent.That could mean with neither A nor B to me; both are absent.
00
You're right. The word 'without' should likely be repeated for clarity.
Without A or without B means just one is absent.
Without A or without B means just one is absent.
0
Related Questions