When to Use a Slash (/)


1. We use slashes to separate parts of a website address (URL) on the Internet.

Examples:

  • https://7esl.com/
  • https://www.google.com/

2. We use the slash to form abbreviations.

Examples:

  • w/o (without)
  • w/ (with)
  • b/4 (before)
  • b/c (because)
  • j/k (just kidding)
  • s/t (something)
  • n/a (not applicable, not available)

3. We use slashes in dates to separate day, month and year.

Examples:

  • He was born on 26/07/1995. (British English)
  • She arrived in Tokyo on 03/20/2001. (American English)

4. We use slashes to indicate fractions.

Examples:

  • ½ (a half/ one half)
  • ¾ (three quarters)
  • 1½ (one and a half)

5. We use the slash to indicate the word “OR”

Examples:

  • When his/her client comes, call him on this number.
  • The director is allowed to designate his/ her successor.
  • He/ she can help you as an objective legal adviser.

6. We use the slash to express the word “PER”.

Examples:

  • He clocked up 180 km/h on the straight in that car.
  • An average electric bill might go up $4/month.
  • The price of oil had fallen to $18/barrel.

7. We use the slash to separate lines from a poem or song.

Example:

  • Mary had a little lamb/ little lamb, little lamb/ Mary had a little lamb/ whose fleece was white as snow.

8. We use the slash to show contradictory notions.

Example:

  • The optimism/pessimism ideologies are very popular today. 

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