Fweethawt Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I need some help again with some terminology... I've heard the words, "mutually exclusive" used in discussion or I've read them in writing and I never actually knew that it meant even when I read the context over and over again. So, I'm hoping that some of you brainiacs around here can help me out with this and explain what 'mutually exclusive' means and how to properly use it in a sentence. I'm sorry, people. I can't help it that this sort of stuff pops in to my head from time to time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ro-bear Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 It simply means that each is exclusive with regard to the other; if A exists or holds true, then B cannot exist or hold true. And vice-versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueGiant Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 As Ro-bear said. As for an example: Living and dead are mutually exclusive conditions, you can be one, or the other, but not both at once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Either A or B is true, but never both at the same time. I own a car, or I do not own a car, are two mutually exclusive statements. They can't be true simultaneous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fweethawt Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 As Ro-bear said. As for an example: Living and dead are mutually exclusive conditions, you can be one, or the other, but not both at once. Unless you're Jesus... Anyway, I think I got it now, guys. Thanks a bunch. I'm smarter now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 As Ro-bear said. As for an example: Living and dead are mutually exclusive conditions, you can be one, or the other, but not both at once. Unless you're Jesus... Anyway, I think I got it now, guys. Thanks a bunch. I'm smarter now!!! or Dracula.... drink of this cup and reme.. join my legion of the undead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShackledNoMore Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 As Ro-bear said. As for an example: Living and dead are mutually exclusive conditions, you can be one, or the other, but not both at once. Unless you're Jesus... Anyway, I think I got it now, guys. Thanks a bunch. I'm smarter now!!! or Dracula.... drink of this cup and reme.. join my legion of the undead! Brains, brains, brains! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchu Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 When it gets fun, Fwee, is when one's mind (like mine, f'rinstance) suffers from entertaining mutually exclusive imperatives: "I must write my granddaughter right now / I must take a nap right now." "I should beg my agent / I should fire my agent." "I'm going to fertilize that poor barren pear tree / I'm going to cut that worthless fucker down." Thus goes the unrelenting daily warfare in my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts