Usage of "or" and punctuation

[G. Acharya]

Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following


1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.

2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.


In the above examples "or" has been used to distinguish in the first
case, and to explain in the second. I had a confusion when
comprehending the actual meaning, mistook heading in the text, and
finally lead to ambiguity in the meaning. So, I was wondering if this
problem is already addressed by punctuating the two differently.

When reading a passage the in the above 1st e.g. format made me think
for some time B was another meaning of A mentioned in example 2. While
later after a great difficulty I understood the usage of B was as in
example 1 and not 2.

Sincerely,
Ganesh J. Acharya

[Einde O'Callaghan]

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

REgards, Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
In the above examples "or" has been used to distinguish in the first
case, and to explain in the second. I had a confusion when
comprehending the actual meaning, mistook heading in the text, and
finally lead to ambiguity in the meaning. So, I was wondering if this
problem is already addressed by punctuating the two differently.
When reading a passage the in the above 1st e.g. format made me think
for some time B was another meaning of A mentioned in example 2. While
later after a great difficulty I understood the usage of B was as in
example 1 and not 2.
Sincerely,
Ganesh J. Acharya

[G. Acharya]

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

So, is there no way in English to solve this ambiguity?

[G. Acharya]

Post by G. Acharya

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

So, is there no way in English to solve this ambiguity?

I meant the "or" ambiguity, to decide if its used to "explain further"
or, used in-order to "state alternatives"

[Einde O'Callaghan]

Post by G. Acharya

Post by G. Acharya

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

So, is there no way in English to solve this ambiguity?

I meant the "or" ambiguity, to decide if its used to "explain further"
or, used in-order to "state alternatives"

The problem is that with your exmples you don't give full sentences.
I'll try to illustrate how to deal with the ambiguity.

"A or B can be used to deal with the problem."

"A, or the first letter of the alphabet, is frequently used ..."

It might bhave been easier to answer you question if it had been stated
a bit more clearly.

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

[G. Acharya]

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya

Post by G. Acharya

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

So, is there no way in English to solve this ambiguity?

I meant the "or" ambiguity, to decide if its used to "explain further"
or, used in-order to "state alternatives"

The problem is that with your exmples you don't give full sentences.
I'll try to illustrate how to deal with the ambiguity.
"A or B can be used to deal with the problem."
"A, or the first letter of the alphabet, is frequently used ..."

Perfect, can you lead me to any online document that explains these in
details? thanks a lot for you help.

[Einde O'Callaghan]

Post by G. Acharya

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya

Post by G. Acharya

Post by Einde O'Callaghan

Post by G. Acharya
Is there a punctuation to add to distinguish the following
1st e.g.
A or B can be used
================
A results in some problem. B results some other problem and both A and
B can be used.
2nd e.g
A or The first alphabet
=================
A is the first alphabet in the English language. This is the first
letter the student of English language learns.

I think this should be "A or the first letter of the alphabet" which
means tha A is another way of describing the first describing the first
letter of teh alphabet. A cannot be an alphabet since it is just one
letter. The alphabet used for English has 26 letters. Other languages
have larger or smaller alphabet.

So, is there no way in English to solve this ambiguity?

I meant the "or" ambiguity, to decide if its used to "explain further"
or, used in-order to "state alternatives"

The problem is that with your exmples you don't give full sentences.
I'll try to illustrate how to deal with the ambiguity.
"A or B can be used to deal with the problem."
"A, or the first letter of the alphabet, is frequently used ..."

Perfect, can you lead me to any online document that explains these in
details? thanks a lot for you help.

I'm afraid I don't know a reliable website that deals with these
questions. The best guide I know to questions of English usage is
Michael Swan: Practical English Usage (Oxford University Press).

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan