Grammar Discussions

[anat0l]

Would (could? can? will? ) someone please explain to me what a variable list is asking for? I received this from a solicitor today and am often confused by requests for:
1. Blah blah; or
2. Blah; and
3. Blah.
Are they asking for 1, or 2 and 3? Or asking for 1 or 2, and 3? Would it have a different meaning when commas or no punctuation marks are used instead of semicolons?

Context might give away the intention, but that's still poor if this is a legal document.

My programming and mathematical logic brain kicks in here, where AND has higher precedence than OR. The two semicolons do not make any discriminatory groupings, so my instinct would suggest you must fulfil 1  or 2 and 3, i.e. if you do not wish to fill the first item, you must do the other two.

I'd check with the solicitor to be clear; if necessary and possible (without paying more money), request should be redrafted with appropriate edits.

 

[Dmac59]

Would (could? can? will? ) someone please explain to me what a variable list is asking for? I received this from a solicitor today and am often confused by requests for:
1. Blah blah; or
2. Blah; and
3. Blah.
Are they asking for 1, or 2 and 3? Or asking for 1 or 2, and 3? Would it have a different meaning when commas or no punctuation marks are used instead of semicolons?

My view @Brissy1
They are asking for 1, or 2 and 3.

 

[oz_mark]

My view is the same. Either item 1 OR items 2 + 3 together.

 

[Mr_Tee]

Send them all three - that will confuse them then