Slashes

Slashes have very few uses and should be used only when absolutely necessary. If you are quoting more than one line of poetry in a sentence, use a slash to separate each line. (If your quotation is longer than three lines, set off the quotation from the rest of the text by indenting all the lines in a block and do not use slashes.)

A slash may be used between two words that are choices or a combination. No spaces are placed before or after the slash. Do not use a slash in place of the word or or the word both.

• Correct: Bob is the owner/operator of a gas station. 
• Correct: Sue attended university in the 2008/09 academic year.

• Incorrect: I think he/she should be allowed to go to the dance! 
• Correct: I think he or she should be allowed to go to the dance!

• Incorrect: A bill can originate in the Senate, and/or the legislature. 
• Correct: A bill can originate in the Senate, in the legislature, or both.

• Incorrect: Housing sales were highest in 2001/02. 
• Correct: Housing sales were highest in 2001 and 2002.