and/or

[and-awr]

conjunction

1. (used to imply that either or both of the things mentioned may be affected or involved).

   insurance covering fire and/or wind damage.

and/or

conjunction

1. (coordinating) used to join terms when either one or the other or both is indicated

   passports and/or other means of identification

Usage

Many people think that and/or is only acceptable in legal and commercial contexts. In other contexts, it is better to use or both: some alcoholics lose their jobs or their driving licences or both (not their jobs and/or their driving licences )

The combination and/or is used primarily in business and legal writing: All dwellings and/or other structures on the property are included in the contract. Because of these business and legal associations, some object to the use of this combination in general writing, where it occasionally occurs: She spends much of her leisure time entertaining and/or traveling. In such writing, either and or or is usually adequate. If a greater distinction is needed, another phrasing is available: Would you like cream or sugar, or both?

Idioms and Phrases

Both or either of two options. For example, His use of copyrighted material shows that the writer is careless and/or dishonest. This idiom originated in legal terminology of the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

However, he said that the Ulster Unionist Party had called for "designated" Windsor Framework/EU ministers in the executive at Stormont and/or in the Northern Ireland Office.

From BBC

The EFL is able to charge clubs and owners over matters such as unpaid wages or failing to meet other financial obligations, which if proven typically lead to fines and/or points deductions, and can force owners to divest their shares in some extreme cases.

From BBC

This is a term for a group of rare conditions, whereby a person's hormones, genes and/or reproductive organs may be a mix of male and female characteristics.

From BBC

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at Walgreens, a person likewise needs to attest that they have “a health condition and/or risk factors” to proceed.

From Los Angeles Times

"Usually the customer complies, but if this fails, enforcement officers can deny travel, remove them from the network and/or refer them for prosecution," the spokesperson says.

From BBC