{"id":4296,"date":"2013-06-29T03:40:51","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T03:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4296"},"modified":"2026-04-29T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T18:53:07","slug":"slash","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/slash\/","title":{"rendered":"Slashes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_xyn8CiHkSRI\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_xyn8CiHkSRI\" data-source-videoID=\"xyn8CiHkSRI\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Slashes Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Slashes\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_xyn8CiHkSRI:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_xyn8CiHkSRI {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/930-slashes-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_xyn8CiHkSRI\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_xyn8CiHkSRI\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Slashes\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_xyn8CiHkSRI\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_xyn8CiHkSRI\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_xyn8CiHkSRI\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction QDT_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"QDT\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"QDT_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"QDT\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Slash_vs_Backslash\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Slash vs. Backslash<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Options_and_Conditions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Options and Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#If\/When\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">If\/When<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Relationships\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Relationships<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Gender\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Gender<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Poetry_and_Plays\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Poetry and Plays<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Separating_Numbers\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Separating Numbers<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Whether you are writing code, poetry, or anything in between, you will probably find yourself using this particular punctuation mark pretty often: the slash.<\/p>\n<p>Slashes have several different uses depending on what you\u2019re writing, so today we\u2019re going to go see exactly when you should and shouldn\u2019t use them.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Slash_vs_Backslash\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Slash vs. Backslash<\/h2>\n<p>\nFirst, we need to make a distinction between the forward slash and the backslash.<\/p>\n<p>The backslash (\\) is mainly used in computing and isn\u2019t considered an English punctuation mark. This video will be focusing solely on the forward slash (\/), which, as mentioned, has many different uses in English.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Options_and_Conditions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Options and Conditions<\/h2>\n<p>\nOne of the most common uses is when you are showing options or conditions within a text. When we want to describe a situation with multiple outcomes, we commonly use \u201cand\/or\u201d. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">Residents are able to pay rent with a check and\/or credit card.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Here, the slash indicates that renters can pay their rent with a credit card, a check, or with both a credit card and check at the same time. If we were to say that the residents are able to pay rent with <em>either<\/em> a check <em>or<\/em> a credit card, the residents must choose one or the other; both at the same time is not an option. <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"If\/When\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>If\/When<\/h2>\n<p>\nWe can use a slash in a similar way between the words <em>if<\/em> and <em>when<\/em> when talking about when something will happen. For instance:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">If\/when you call me, I will give you the information.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>We use \u201cif\/when\u201d when we are discussing events in the future that may or may not happen. In this sentence, it is unclear when the call will be made, or if it will even be made at all. If we knew for sure, we would just say \u201cwhen.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Relationships\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Relationships<\/h2>\n<p>\nA forward slash can also be used to list the similar or different relationships between two or more things. <\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">\u201cIt\u2019s a simple yes\/no answer\u201d, she said.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Yes&#8221; and &#8220;no&#8221; are conflicting responses, and the slash between them shows that. Here\u2019s another one:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">He spends his day in his robe\/loungewear.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>In this example, <em>robe<\/em> and <em>loungewear<\/em> are both similar things that describe what the man is wearing, so we put a slash between them.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Gender\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Gender<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn a similar way, we also use slashes when more than one gender is being addressed. For instance,<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">The teacher made sure each child had his\/her jacket before going outside.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 1em\"><span id=\"Poetry_and_Plays\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Poetry and Plays<\/h2>\n<p>\nA slightly less common use of slashes can be found in <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/structural-elements-of-poetry\/\">poetry<\/a> and plays. When writing poetry or a play, slashes are commonly used to show where a line ends. This is only if the text is written in paragraph form instead of verse or stanza form.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example from the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span class=\"transcriptcallout-text\">Some say that ever &#8216;gainst that season comes\/Wherein our Saviour&#8217;s birth is celebrated\/This bird of dawning singeth all night long\/And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad\/The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike\/No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm\/So hallow&#8217;d and so gracious is the time<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 1em\"><span id=\"Separating_Numbers\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Separating Numbers<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe last use of slashes we\u2019ll look at today lies outside of separating words. We can, and often do, use slashes to separate numbers.<\/p>\n<p>There are a couple of different instances where this becomes useful. The first is when we want to show the date as, for example, day\/month\/year. We also use a slash to write out <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/fractions\/\">fractions<\/a> and ratios. For example, we might say someone has a 50\/50 chance of winning, or someone may have a blood pressure of 120\/80.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p>\nOkay, now that you\u2019ve learned several ways to use slashes, let\u2019s go over a couple of review questions to see what you remember.<\/p>\n<p>1. Which of the following does NOT use a slash correctly?<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>She only ate 1\/2 of her candy bar.<\/li>\n<li>John asked him a simple yes\/no question.<\/li>\n<li>You should get either\/or the red one and the blue one.<\/li>\n<li>Everyone should have his\/her own pair of shoes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is C!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">You can use a slash between <em>either<\/em> and <em>or<\/em>, but not in this instance. The sentence should say \u201cYou should get either the red one or the blue one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n2. True or False: In poetry, you must always use a slash at the end of each line.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer2')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer2\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is False!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The only time you would use a slash to indicate the end of a line of poetry is if the poem is written in paragraph form instead of verse or stanza form.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThat\u2019s all for this review! Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100033,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4296","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4296"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":292682,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4296\/revisions\/292682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}