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Slash & Backslash

Slashes are often used to indicate directories and subdirectories in computer systems such as Unix and in World Wide Web addresses. Unfortunately, many people, assuming “backslash” is some sort of technical term for the regular slash, use the term incorrectly, which risks confusing those who know enough to distinguish between the two but not enough to realize that Web addresses rarely contain backslashes.

The slash (/) is a sign used as a punctuation mark and for various other purposes. It is often called a forward slash (a retronym used to distinguish the slash from the backslash, "\"), and many other alternative names.

The backslash (\) is a typographical mark (glyph) used mainly in computing and is the mirror image of the common slash. It is sometimes called a hack, whack, escape (from C/UNIX), reverse slash, slosh, backslant, backwhack, and in rare occasions, bash, reverse slant, and reversed virgule. In Unicode, it is encoded at U+005C \ REVERSE SOLIDUS (HTML: \).

Slash Backslash

Quiz

Backslash

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This is a backslash: \. Notice the way it leans back, distinguishing it from the regular slash.

The backslash is not really an English punctuation mark. It is a typographical mark used mainly in computing. It is called a "backslash" because it is the reverse of the slash (/) or forward slash.

The backslash is used in several computer systems, and in many programming languages such as C and Perl. It is commonly seen in Windows computers:

C:\Users\Win\Files\jse.doc

Do not confuse the backslash (\) with the slash (/) or forward slash.

Although it is not really an English punctuation mark, the backslash is included on many pages for completeness.

Applications

Backslash is used for:

file names in DOS and Windows, e.g. C:\Python31\python.exe, C:\cs8\cTurtle.py

escape sequences in C, Unix, and other languages/systems that borrow the same syntax (C++, Java, etc.)

for example \n means newline, \t means tab

Slash

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The slash (/) is also known as: forward slash, stroke, oblique. You should use the slash with care in formal writing.

The slash (/) is also known as: forward slash, stroke, oblique. You should use the slash with care in formal writing.

1. A slash is often used to indicate "or":

Dear Sir/Madam (Sir or Madam) Please press your browser's Refresh/Reload button. (Refresh or Reload) 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.

2. Use a slash for fractions:

1/2 (one half)

2/3 (two thirds)

9/10 (nine tenths)

3. 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)

4. People often use a slash in certain abbreviations:

This is my a/c number. (account)

John Brown, c/o Jane Green (care of)

n/a (not applicable, not available)

w/o (without)

w/o = without

w/ = withc/o = care of (used when posting a letter or parcel)

a/c = air conditioning

5. 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)

6. The slash is used to separate parts of a website address (url) on the Internet, and to separate folders on some computer systems:

http://www.englishclub.com/writing/punctuation-slash.htm

file:///Users/mac/tara/photos/image.jpg

7. A slash can show a line break in poem, song, or play, usually if several short lines are being written together on one long line. Remember to put a space after the slash.

Mary had a little lamb/ little lamb, little lamb/ Mary had a little lamb/ whose fleece was white as snow.

The quality of mercy is not strained/ it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven/ upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:/ It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

8. Sometimes we used a slash between two small words, if it’s an informal case where the reader can choose between the two words. When using a slash like this, we don’t put a space after it.

I’m starving! I can’t wait for a snack and/or dinner!

If/when Mary ever shows up, we can all head out to the party together.

Burgers or pizza for dinner? Yeah, either/or is fine with me.

10. Dictionaries will often use a slash on either side of a word when showing the pronunciation. Generally, the word between the slashes will be written phonetically. This usage doesn’t require a space after the first slash, but it does require one after the second slash.

The pronunciation of is /kaet/.

Shoe: /shoo/ an article of protective clothing worn over the foot; generally made of leather or cloth with a hard sole.

11. The slash is most often seen when it is used between words to indicate an alternative. For example, in the situation where a writer chooses to use him/her, readers understand that either pronoun will work in that particular sentence and each is equally important and applicable. Let’s take a look at some examples:

EX: Each performer shuffled his/her feet to the music.

EX: Our instructor used the pass/fail method to grade us.

EX: Please turn in your driver’s license, social security card and/or birth certificate.

In the above sentences the slash is used between two terms to indicate that either alternative is equally applicable. Note that a space is not placed before or after the slash. Furthermore, overuse of the slash to indicate choice can confuse readers, so it should be used conservatively

12. The slash may also be used to clarify and join two words. Let’s take a look at some examples:

EX: The boy’s grandmother/guardian was held responsible for the accident.

EX: The student/full-time mother attended the University of Houston-Victoria.

In these examples the slash serves to emphasize the relationship between the two words it unites. In other words, it adds detail. For example, the woman is not only the boy’s grandmother; she is also his guardian; the woman is not only a student; she is also a mother. In both situations the two alternatives are equally important and applicable.

Quiz

Test your ability to punctuate with the slash by identifying where/if it could be used in the following sentences.

1. I went to eat lunch with my friend and peer Angela.

2. Backpacks and or lunch bags should be placed in your locker.

3. Mr. Smith is a coach and teacher at Davidson High School.

4. Shakespeare begins “Sonnet 130” by giving a visual description of his beloved that seems a bit unflattering upon first glace: “My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red.”

5. Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley was bombarded by the press at the awards show.

Answers

1. I went to eat lunch with my friend/peer Angela.

2. Backpacks and/or lunch bags should be placed in your locker.

3. Mr. Smith is a coach/teacher at Davidson High School.

4. Shakespeare begins Sonnet 130 by giving a visual description of his beloved that seems a bit unflattering upon first glace: “My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; / Coral is far more red than her lips' red.”

5. Actress/model Elizabeth Hurley was sabotaged by the press at the awards show.

Answers