What is slash?
The slash is a diagonal punctuation mark, tilted from lower-left to upper-right, used to signal that two terms stand in for each other or to abbreviate a relationship between them. You see it most often in paired alternatives ("he/she," "and/or"), fractions ("3/4"), URLs and abbreviations like "w/" for "with" or "c/o" for "care of." Slashes sit tight against the words or numbers they connect, with no surrounding spaces in most styles.
Alternatives: he/she
Fraction: 3/4
Abbreviation: w/ (with)
Why does slash matter?
The slash reads as fast and technical, which can work for forms and product copy but feels cold in marketing prose. "Brand voice / tone of voice" in a header is efficient, but the same phrasing in a blog intro looks like a placeholder someone forgot to finish. Many style guides limit slashes to fractions, URLs and technical contexts, preferring "and" or "or" in running prose for a more considered tone.
How do you use slash?
Reserve the slash for fractions, URLs and technical abbreviations rather than using it as a stand-in for "and" or "or" in running prose.
Close slashes tightly against the words or numbers on either side, with no spaces around the mark.
Replace paired alternatives like "he/she" with inclusive language such as "they" or "the user" whenever a single term can do the work.
