There are two types of slashes: a┬аbackslash (\)┬аand a┬аforward slash (/). The backslash is used only for computer coding. The forward slash, often simply referred to as a slash, is a punctuation mark used in English. The only time it is appropriate to use a comma after a slash is when demonstrating breaks between lines of poetry, songs, or plays.
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What Does / Mean Between Words?
An explanation of what a forward slash means in a text depends on the context. Slashes can mean many different things, depending on how they are used.
To Separate Lines in Prose
A slash can show a line break in a poem, song, or play, usually if several short lines are being written together on one long line. Consider the two examples below:
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Note that there is a space after each slash.
To Indicate Or
Often, when a slash is used in a formal or informal text, it is meant to indicate the word┬аor. The examples below illustrate this meaning of the forward slash:
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To Form Abbreviations
Slashes can also be used to form some abbreviations or shortened forms of words or phrases, although these shouldnтАЩt be used in formal writing.
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Notice that in these cases, no space is necessary after the slash.
To Indicate Connecting and Conflicting Relationships
Slashes can also be used to note that there is a connection or conflict between two words or phrases in a sentence. Some examples include:
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To Denote Dates and Fractions
One of the most commonly recognized usages of the forward slash is to indicate dates and fractions:
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Space Before and After Slash
Many people wonder whether to use a space before and after slashes in a sentence. The answer is typically no on both fronts. Spaces before slashes should be avoided. The only time itтАЩs acceptable to use a space after a slash is when breaking up lines of a poem, song, or play.┬а