Slash (/)
The slash is also known as: forward slash, stroke, oblique. You should use the slash with care in formal writing.
· A slash is often used to indicate "or":
- Dear Sir/Madam (Sir or Madam)
- The speech will be given by President/Senator Clinton. (President Clinton or Senator Clinton)
- Mary will eat cake and/or fruit. (Mary will eat cake, or Mary will eat fruit, or Mary will eat cake and fruit.)
Do not over-use the slash to indicate "or". It can suggest laziness on the part of the writer. The "and/or" construction is widely considered to be very bad form.
· Use a slash for fractions:
- 1/2 (one half)
- 2/3 (two thirds)
- 9/10 (nine tenths)
· Use a slash to indicate "per" in measurements of speed, prices etc:
- The speed limit is 100 km/h. (kilometres per hour)
- He can type at 75 w/m. (words per minute)
- The eggs cost $3/dozen. ($3 per dozen)
- They charge €1.50/litre for petrol. (€1.50 per litre)
· People often use a slash in certain abbreviations:
- This is my a/c number. (account)
- n/a (not applicable, not available)
- w/o (without)
· A slash is often used in dates to separate day, month and year:
- On credit card: Expires end 10/15 (October 2015)
- He was born on 30/11/2007. (30th November 2007 - BrE)
- It was invented on 11/30/2007. (November 30th, 2007 - AmE)
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Sources:
Cooper, T., Fallas, J., & Flaherty, F. (2011). English Style Guide: Seventh edition. European Commission.
Englishclub.com. (2013). Punctuation. Retrieved from http://www.englishclub.com/writing/punctuation.htm.
Phythian, B. A. (2012). Correct English: Pedoman Belajar Bahasa Inggris. Jakarta : PT. Indeks.
Wikipedia. (2013). Punctuation. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Punctuation.