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grammar nazi's ... how do you punctuate a "logic" statement?

JDub02

JDub02

Diamond Member
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
 
(A and B) or C = A and B, or C
A and (B or C) = A, and B or C

That's at least how I would do it.... but I'd rather write C than English 😛
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
Click to expand...

To perform this function, use both pieces A and B or use piece C.
To perform this function, use piece A or use both pieces B and C.
 
Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Originally posted by: JDub02
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
Click to expand...

To perform this function, use both pieces A and B or use piece C.
To perform this function, use piece A or use both pieces B and C.
Click to expand...

Fail.
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
Click to expand...

Didn't you just solve your own problem?

"A and either B or C" is pretty clear for case 2.

"Both A and B or C" is not bad for case 1.
 
Originally posted by: esun

Didn't you just solve your own problem?

"A and either B or C" is pretty clear for case 2.

"Both A and B or C" is not bad for case 1.
Click to expand...

I guess. I was trying to figure it out strictly using "and", "or", and comma(s).
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
Click to expand...

Y=AB+C
 
This is where the word "either" and the use of commas comes in handy.

(A and B) or C = Either A and B, or C.
A and (B or C) = A and either B or C. Or you could say "A in combination with either B or C."
 
Originally posted by: esun
Originally posted by: JDub02
I'm reviewing a document at work. While I'm normally astute when it comes to grammar, this particular sentence structure has me a bit perplexed.

Let's say you have 3 items A, B, and C. How do you express the following in a sentence without using parentheses?

(A and B) or C
A and (B or C)


The current sentence reads "A, and B or C" and originally read "A and B or C".

I'm assuming the original intent is that this requires A and either B or C, but I will have to check with the author.
Click to expand...

Didn't you just solve your own problem?

"A and either B or C" is pretty clear for case 2.

"Both A and B or C" is not bad for case 1.
Click to expand...

The meaning is still not clear for the bold case 1. It could be read as having a meaning equivalent to your case 2.
 
Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
This is where the word "either" and the use of commas comes in handy.

(A and B) or C = Either A and B, or C.
A and (B or C) = A and either B or C. Or you could say "A in combination with either B or C."
Click to expand...

This seems to work the best.
 
multiplication-and
addition -or

boolean form
ab+c
a(b+c)

Sentence form
both A and B, or C
A or both B and C

Logic form
(A /\ B)\/C
A/\(B\/C)
 
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