and/or

[and-awr]

conjunction

1. (used to imply that either or both of the things mentioned may be affected or involved).

   insurance covering fire and/or wind damage.

and/or

conjunction

1. (coordinating) used to join terms when either one or the other or both is indicated

   passports and/or other means of identification

Usage

The combination and/or is used primarily in business and legal writing: All dwellings and/or other structures on the property are included in the contract. Because of these business and legal associations, some object to the use of this combination in general writing, where it occasionally occurs: She spends much of her leisure time entertaining and/or traveling. In such writing, either and or or is usually adequate. If a greater distinction is needed, another phrasing is available: Would you like cream or sugar, or both?

Many people think that and/or is only acceptable in legal and commercial contexts. In other contexts, it is better to use or both: some alcoholics lose their jobs or their driving licences or both (not their jobs and/or their driving licences )

Idioms and Phrases

Both or either of two options. For example, His use of copyrighted material shows that the writer is careless and/or dishonest. This idiom originated in legal terminology of the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

But if your time and/or attention is limited, here is a highly subjective ranking:

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“At current trading levels, we estimate the stock is currently imputing lower LNG margins, minimal future growth, and/or additional negative arbitration outcomes beyond what the company has stated,” they wrote.

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The law will take its course; your brother will not prevail if you were clearly listed as a beneficiary, there was no coercion and/or your father was of sound mind when he made this decision.

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Tell your brother that you want to smooth the transition to managing and/or dividing your parents’ estate — “I want to make this easier for both of us” — and also protect your financial nest egg as well as your relationship.

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I want people to just share you and or have a thought or make you have a thought.

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