LoginSlash
In this lesson you will learn how to use the slash for dates, fractions, and alternatives. Practice with examples and exercises to improve your skills.
What is a Slash?
A slash (/) is a punctuation that can be used to indicate a choice or alternative between two options or to show a relationship between two things. There are two kinds of slash: forward slash (/) and backslash (\).
How to Use Slash?
In general, you can use the slash without spaces. However, when it is used to separate lines of poetry, it is suggested to use a space either before, after, or both before and after slashes.
Forward Slash
A forward slash is simply called a slash most of the time, it can also be called a "stroke" or "oblique". Using slashes in formal writing is generally not recommended.
Where To Use Slash?
We can use a slash in different contexts, have a look at the following list:
Instead of 'or'
Instead of 'per'
In poetry
In abbreviations
In dates and fractions
To show conflict or connection
In a two-year range
In website addresses
Instead of 'or'
We can use a slash to mean 'or', let's see some examples:
Each person must get his/her gift bag at the exit door.
We can get the best prize if/when the whole crew arrives.
You should take a sleeping bag and/or an extra blanket for camping.
It is better to avoid using 'and/or' and instead use 'both' at the end, as in 'sleeping bag, an extra blanket, or both'.
Instead of 'per'
We can use a slash to mean per'. Have a look at the following examples:
The salary here is $4000/month.
The car goes 300km/hr.
In Poetry
The slash is commonly used in poetry to separate the lines. It is often used when two or three lines of poetry run into a text. When there are more than three lines, it is common to write the text as a block quotation.
Some say the world will end in fire/ Some say in ice/ From what I've tasted of desire/ I hold with those who favour fire.
Robert frost-fire & ice
In Abbreviations
There are some abbreviations that can form with a slash. For example:
w/
with
w/o
without
c/o
care of
a/c
account
Show Conflict or Connection
The slash can be used to denote a conflict or connection between two things. The en dash can be used for this purpose too.
The New York/Boston bus leaves soon.
The Beijing/London flight has been cancelled.
In a Two-year Range
The slash can be used to indicate a time span of two years. For example:
We can never forget the tragedy of 1994/95.
2020/21 was really hard for me.
In Website Addresses
The slash can be used to separate the website address (URL), and to separate folders on some computer systems.
www.langeek.co/writing/slash
file://Users/photos/image.jpg
Tip!
A backslash is not really considered punctuation in the English language and should not be mistaken for a slash or forward slash. The backslash is usually used in computer coding and programming languages.
Comments
(0)
Recommended
