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Astralbee
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We use 'or' (and 'nor', when speaking in negative terms) to show that list items are alternatives and not items being collected together. "None of" also treats people/items as individuals because 'none' represents zero, so it shows they have been counted individually. By phrasing your sentences without these, you lose the sense that the people and things mentioned are individual items.

Your proposed alternative sentences do not mean the same as the originals, and are confusing:

  • Example 2 would mean that the 3 people had refused to help you collectively, rather than as individuals.

  • Example 4 could mean that 'the government' and 'private tech companies' are alternative terms foralternatives that might apply when the same thingoriginal sentence means neither.

  • Example 6 sounds like your friends have collectively refused to help you.

We use 'or' (and 'nor', when speaking in negative terms) to show that list items are alternatives and not items being collected together. "None of" also treats people/items as individuals because 'none' represents zero, so it shows they have been counted individually. By phrasing your sentences without these, you lose the sense that the people and things mentioned are individual items.

Your proposed alternative sentences do not mean the same as the originals, and are confusing:

  • Example 2 would mean that the 3 people had refused to help you collectively, rather than as individuals.

  • Example 4 could mean that 'the government' and 'private tech companies' are alternative terms for the same thing.

  • Example 6 sounds like your friends have collectively refused to help you.

We use 'or' (and 'nor', when speaking in negative terms) to show that list items are alternatives and not items being collected together. "None of" also treats people/items as individuals because 'none' represents zero, so it shows they have been counted individually. By phrasing your sentences without these, you lose the sense that the people and things mentioned are individual items.

Your proposed alternative sentences do not mean the same as the originals, and are confusing:

  • Example 2 would mean that the 3 people had refused to help you collectively, rather than as individuals.

  • Example 4 could mean that 'the government' and 'private tech companies' are alternatives that might apply when the original sentence means neither.

  • Example 6 sounds like your friends have collectively refused to help you.

Source Link
Astralbee
  • 111.3k
  • 3
  • 124
  • 247

We use 'or' (and 'nor', when speaking in negative terms) to show that list items are alternatives and not items being collected together. "None of" also treats people/items as individuals because 'none' represents zero, so it shows they have been counted individually. By phrasing your sentences without these, you lose the sense that the people and things mentioned are individual items.

Your proposed alternative sentences do not mean the same as the originals, and are confusing:

  • Example 2 would mean that the 3 people had refused to help you collectively, rather than as individuals.

  • Example 4 could mean that 'the government' and 'private tech companies' are alternative terms for the same thing.

  • Example 6 sounds like your friends have collectively refused to help you.