Which one(s) amongst the following sentences are correct, and which one sounds the best?
- "I do X if Y, and Z otherwise"
- "I do X if Y, or Z otherwise"
asked Oct 26, 2015 at 2:02
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How formal is this statement supposed to be? Is this statement meant to be part of a contract, law, or regulation? Or part of a computer program? Or part of an essay? Or just an off-hand comment to a friend?– JasperCommented Oct 26, 2015 at 2:12
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@Jasper research article– Franck DernoncourtCommented Oct 26, 2015 at 2:13
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2 Answers
To answer your question directly and literally as written, I suggest the second sentence sounds the best.
I do X if Y, or Z otherwise.
My reasoning is more based in logic than grammar. The choices are an "either/or" proposition (i.e., mutually exclusive) and not a "both/and" proposition.
Source: Native speaker
"Otherwise" is a conjunctive adverb, so an additional coordinating conjunction ("and", "or") is not needed. Replace the coordinating conjunction with a semicolon.
If X, I do Y; otherwise, I do Z.
You can also use two separate sentences.
If X, I do Y. Otherwise, I do Z.
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A comma can be used with coordinating conjunctions (e.g. "and", "but", "or"), but not with conjunctive adverbs. As a rule, an adverb cannot join sentences.– wozCommented Oct 26, 2015 at 20:48
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Is that so? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctive_adverb (see "Placement") doesn't even mention a semicolon... Commented Oct 26, 2015 at 21:07
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You don't have to use a semi colon, but you cannot use only a comma. Another valid option is two separate sentences. A semicolon is a good choice for two closely related sentences though.– wozCommented Oct 26, 2015 at 21:48