Yule
Which one of them is correct? Please help. When I want to express "A>D, A>C, B>C and B>D", which one(s) in the following is/are correct? And why? 1> Both A and B are larger than C and D. 2> Both A and B are larger than C or D. 3> A and B are both larger than C and D. 4> A and B are both larger than C or D. Or there is another better way of expression? Thanks a lot.
Mar 30, 2015 10:56 PM
Answers · 7
1
1 and 3 are correct. Both of the placements of "both" are acceptable. Another acceptable way of saying it would be "A and B both are larger than C and D." 2 and 4 are wrong, because they're using "or" instead of "and." To put the "and" into math terms like you did above, it would be {A,B}>{C,D}. I honestly don't think the "or" could be put into math terms, since there would probably have to be some dependency expressed. If you'd like me to really get into it, you can leave a comment asking me to and I'll try, but hopefully the "and" math is clear enough that I don't have to.
March 30, 2015
"Or" used to link alternatives Would you like coffee or tea? Its one or the other. This is a style point I'm going to make; so feel free to disregard. The use of "both" is not need in any of these sentences. Again not wrong but economy of words is often best in my opinion. A and B are larger than C and D. to quote Pascal "If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter."
March 30, 2015
As a native English speaker, I would use (1). (3) also makes sense. (2) and (4) confuse me a little, but I would understand the meaning.
March 30, 2015
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