5

Should we write:

I am copy/pasting the text

Or:

I am copying/pasting the text

?

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    copy-paste (third-person singular simple present copy-pastes, present participle copy-pasting, simple past and past participle copy-pasted): en.wiktionary.org/wiki/copy-paste Jul 21, 2018 at 10:26
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    Worth noting (and gaining traction, I think) is the slang term copypasta.
    – J.R.
    Jul 21, 2018 at 13:49
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    @J.R. Maybe, but I think copypasta more commonly (at least on the internet) describes something else entirely. I'd avoid it unless I meant the specific meaning described there. The Wiktionary definition doesn't quite do it justice.
    – user3395
    Jul 21, 2018 at 16:34

1 Answer 1

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The modern notion of copy-paste is new enough in the nomenclature (barely a few decades old, roughly the same age as word processors) that I don't think this matter has been settled yet. Personally, I'd be apt to use hyphens with "and", rather than a slash:

I am copying-and-pasting the text.

That said, I'd have no problem with either of your versions.

This might also depend on the formality of your document. If you are writing this in an email, it won't really matter. Everyone will know what you mean. However, if you are writing for a journal publication, that might merit more careful deliberation.

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    Even though I sometimes use hyphens there myself, it's not a mistake to omit them (and in fact most people omit them).
    – user3395
    Jul 21, 2018 at 16:30

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