Backslash vs. Forward Slash: What’s the Difference?

If you look down at your keyboard, you’ll notice that there are two types of slashes: the backslash (\) and the forward slash (/). But do you know the difference between them, and when to use each one? If not, don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll explain:

• What a backslash is, and when to use one
• What a forward slash is, and when to use one

What is a Backslash?

The backslash is mainly used in computing and mathematics.

The symbol has been given many different names in the past and it can be hard to determine exactly when it first became popular. There’s a photo dating back to the mid-1930s that shows a Kleinschmidt keyboard perforator with a backslash. At that time, it was simply called the diagonal key.

The backslash isn’t technically a punctuation mark, so you wouldn’t normally come across it in most forms of writing. Rather, it’s a typographic mark that’s used in lots of computer programming languages as an escape character.

What is a Forward Slash?

While a backslash has a very specific usage, the forward slash can be used for a number of different things.

1. To Separate Lines in Poetry

If more than one short line of writing is being written as one longer line, you can use the forward slash to show where the lines should be separated.

I saw two seagulls / And a red bird in a tree / Waiting there for spring.

2. To Replace the Word or

In less formal writing, the forward slash can be used instead of the word or, but this should be done sparingly.

The diving instructor noticed that someone had left his/her towel on the beach.

3. Relationships, Conflicts, and Alternatives

A forward slash can be used to show that two or more things have a close relationship, are in conflict, or represent alternatives.

They had a love/hate relationship.

The store accepts cash and/or credit cards.

The room is reserved for graduate students/faculty members/visiting lecturers.

4. To Form Abbreviations

In less formal writing, abbreviations can be created by combining letters with forward slashes.

w/o = without

a/c = air conditioning

n/a = not applicable

5. Dates and Fractions

When using digits, slashes help separate the numbers for formatting dates and fractions.

He used ½ a cup of water.

She was born on 01/24/2020.

6. URLs for Websites

One of the most common places you’ll see a forward slash is when typing out your favorite website’s URL.

I read an informative article at https://knowadays.com/blog/.

Summary: Backslash vs. Forward Slash

A backslash’s usage is very limited, and you won’t encounter it very much in formal writing. It’s not a punctuation mark and is used primarily for mathematics and computer programming.

A forward slash is a form of punctuation and can be used in a variety of ways, especially in more informal writing:

• To separate short lines of poetry that have been written together
• As a replacement for or
• To indicate that two or more things have a close relationship, are in conflict, or represent alternatives
• To form abbreviations
• To separate numbers when formatting dates and fractions
• As part of the structure of a URL

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