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?
To add a bit more to this, punctuation sometimes doesn't do much to help comprehend the situation (though incorrect use of it doesn't help). There's a famous video somewhere on Youtube about how punctuation - unwittingly incorrect to original intention - was exploited as a legal loophole in legislation (something to do with duties or taxes in the US or UK).
As an example, the following text makes it very clear what is required (in my opinion). It uses structure to assist and relies less on accurate punctuation.
In order to process your application, you will be required to submit original identity documents. These must include:
1. Your original birth certificate
...and one of either...
2. One (1) Type A document; or
3. Two (2) Type B documents
That seems a lot clearer than what you have described, and also gets around, in this case, the inherent normal precedence order of AND and OR. Replacing
and with
as well as would likely make it even clearer. Replacing the 1./2./3. with regular bullets is probably clearer still (no reason for these to be ordinal, unless it is part of a larger contract where each point must be referrable).
An example which is closest to the one you were asking questions about is this, which I think, again, uses structure to make it easier to understand:
You may carry on board:
- One 115 cm bag; or
- One 105 cm bag and one thin garment bag.
...or
D see what I did there)...
You may carry on board:
- One 115 cm bag
or
- One 105 cm bag; and
- One thin garment bag.
The last one, on looking closer, could still give rise to the confusion, but if there were a third option for
or I think it would be clear what's going on.
