March 26, 2009
Slash away
The slash (/), or virgule, is a slanted character used to separate related items of information. It’s not very sexy or exciting, but, like every punctuation mark, it has its proper place in everyday grammar.
Uses of the slash:
To express “per”
The speed limit is 65 miles/hour.
In dates and fractions
My birthday is 1/3.
The recipe calls for 2 ½ cups of butter.
To indicate options
She took a biology class on a pass/fail basis.
If convicted, he’ll be sentenced to two years in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
(I caution you to limit the use of “and/or”; it’s quite cumbersome and unnecessary in most cases.)
To denote the end of a line of poetry
“I am writing these poems / From inside a lion, / And it’s rather dark in here.”
- Shel Silverstein
In URLs
http://smithwriting.com/blog/
Note: The slash should never be confused with its mirror image, the backslash (\). Limit use of this backward character to strictly computing contexts.
Filed by rebecca at 8:00 pm under Grammar guide
Haha! The image is awesome.
I agree with you on the and/or thing, as well as on the limited use of the slash in similar cases, when it seems people can’t decide which word to go with. Please, pick one or the other, or just use and!
Well said, editor Steph!
To avoid “and/or” in the example above, one could simply rewrite the sentence as follows: “If convicted, he’ll be sentenced to two years in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.”
Rebecca,thanks for reminding us about the slash. Poor thing, I don’t give much thought to it outside of URLs. I tend to stay away from and/or except in certain business contexts where it is the preferred option. Great discussion of this punctuation.
Thanks, Karen. We all need a little grammar refresher every now and then–even on the humble slash.
I am not fond of and/or. I had a business client who was big on it. Try and figure out a system requirement based on a business rule with and/or in it! Oh! worse yet, she used to come up with business rule with ‘might’ and ‘may’. It took me over a year to get her to drop that one. “Helga,” I would say between clenched teeth, “will it or won’t it?” ARGH … now I’m having flashbacks. Excuse me while I curl up in the fetal position.
Hahaha! Poor Panther. I do empathize. I am often forced into a fetal position while editing. Honestly, I’ve really cried and torn at my hair, too.
Rebecca: A perfect alternative. And a great example of the serial comma. Yayy!
Panther: I’m so sorry to have brought up such awful memories for you! I may/might not ever mention the slash again.
What editor hasn’t torn at her hair?! I think that’s part of the job description. (Ah, the serial comma. It will have its day in the sun one of these posts …)