oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

PAGE 13
13 And and or
2 We can add extra adverbials to any of the clause patterns.
At last a coach stopped.
The coach was carrying detectives on their way home from a conference on crime.
He had recently become a detective inspector.
The conference is every year, presumably.
At once the thief gave the inspector his coat.
He probably considered himself rather unlucky.
He casually put the coat over his arm.
These extra adverbials can be left out. They are not necessary to complete the
sentence.
For details about the position of adverbials, • 208. An extra adverbial does not
affect the word order in the rest of the sentence, and the subject-verb order stays
the same.
At last a coach stopped.
NOTE
Another extra element is the name or description of the person spoken to. As well as in
statements, it can come in questions and imperatives.
You're in trouble, my friend. Sarah, what are you doing?
Come on everybody, let's go!
13 And and or
1 We can link two or more phrases with and or or. Here are some examples with
noun phrases.
The man and the woman were waiting.
The man, the woman and the child were waiting.
Wednesday or Thursday would be all right.
Wednesday, Thursday or Friday would be all right.
And or or usually comes only once, before the last item.
2 We can use and and or with other kinds of words and phrases.
It was a cold and windy day. (adjective)
He waited fifteen or twenty minutes. (number)
The work went smoothly, quietly and very efficiently. (adverb phrase)
NOTE
a We can use two adjectives together without a linking word, e.g. a cold, windy day. • 202
b We can use two complements or two adverbials with and or or even if they are different
kinds of phrase, such as an adjective and noun phrase.
The book has become famous and a best-seller. We can meet here or in town.
The hotel was quiet and well back from the road.
3 Compare these two sentences.
He stole a hat and a coat.
He stole a hat and coat.
In the first sentence and links two noun phrases (a hat, a coat); in the second it
links two nouns (hat, coat). The second sentence suggests that there is a link
between the two items, that they belong together.
He stole a hat and a typewriter. (not linked)
He stole a cup and saucer. (belonging together)
NOTE
a And, or (and but) can link verb phrases and also whole clauses. • 243
b For or in questions, • 31.