Exclusive disjunction: Difference between revisions
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An “[[or]]” that means ''either'' this [[or]] that ''but not both''. | An “[[or]]” that means ''either'' this [[or]] that ''but not both''. | ||
This is an unusual type of [[or]]. Most [[or]]s are [[inclusive disjunction]]s, meaning “it could be this, that | This is an unusual type of [[or]]. Most [[or]]s are [[inclusive disjunction]]s, meaning “it could be this, that, ''or both'': I’m honestly relaxed and don’t care as long as ''one of you'' shows up.” | ||
If you have an inclusive [[or]], as mostly you should, you don’t need an [[and/or]]. If (you think) you have an exclusive [[or]], and you need an [[and]], just use an ''in''clusive [[or]]. | |||
{{plainenglish}} | {{plainenglish}} | ||
Revision as of 17:36, 24 June 2019
An “or” that means either this or that but not both.
This is an unusual type of or. Most ors are inclusive disjunctions, meaning “it could be this, that, or both: I’m honestly relaxed and don’t care as long as one of you shows up.”
If you have an inclusive or, as mostly you should, you don’t need an and/or. If (you think) you have an exclusive or, and you need an and, just use an inclusive or.
Plain English Anatomy™
Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb | Preposition | Conjunction | Latin | Germany | Flannel | Legal triplicate | Nominalisation | Murder your darlings