“due to A or due to B” is the same as “due to A or B”?

Question

I found "due to A or due to B" in a book.

Can I use "due to A or B" instead of "due to A or due to B"?

If so, which one is better?

Jay · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-20 05:32:09Z

up vote 3 down vote accepted

The two expressions are equivalent.

Reasons to use the longer would include emphasis, cadence, or sometimes in a complex sentence it might eliminate ambiguity.

answered Mar 20 '12 at 5:32

Jay
19.3k1344

Wayfaring Stranger · Answer 2 · 2012-03-20 16:12:31Z

up vote 1 down vote

A little caution is needed in your interpretation here. The author may be trying to distinguish between 'or' and 'xor', the exclusive or.

Logically, A or B implies one of: A, B, (A and B)

while A xor B implies one of: A, B.

Context should tell you what the author intends, but sometimes it doesn't.

answered Mar 20 '12 at 16:12

Wayfaring Stranger
1,527146

	At least to me, the longer form "Due to A or due to B" has more of an exclusive feel that the short form. – David Schwartz Mar 20 '12 at 16:16
	Yes, the phrasing itself is a bit of a flag that something special might be going on. – Wayfaring Stranger Mar 20 '12 at 16:21

2 Answers