"&" vs. "and"

I'm editing content for a website and I've noticed that many people will use the "&" symbol and the word "and" with no particular pattern. It seems like they just assume the "&" looks better than "and".

I always try to avoid "&" unless it is part of an official name or title. When you see an "&" here, and an "&" there, it seems like there is no thought into the symbols we are using.

What I would like to know is when is it appropriate to use "&" vs. and?

Please help.

 

If it was something informal, like a personal letter or an e-mail to somebody, I'd use '&'. For creative pieces I'd only ever use the full word.

 

I do the same thing you do, femfrog. In titles and headings I use the &, but almost nowhere else.

I'm also an opponent of netspeak, so that might have something to do with it.

 

& should only be ever used in titles, "and" is definelty the correct term for any book.

 

"And" looks more appriorate. I think & is only useful for letters when you are short space. "And" just looks more, proper.

 

Personally I think people who use & just to type two less letters are quite lazy (i mean those who use it just for using it like in stories i see some people do that) it drives me insane. I don't see how hard it is to type the word and vs &. It takes me longer to type & than it is to type and. I suggest keep in the habit of using little shortcuts like that as possible, like through and thru, without, w/o etc. (i have to use etc. since i don't know how to spell the word! hahaha)

 

I only ever use the full word. Especially when writing.

 

The & Symbol doesn't fit right unless placed in a heading title.




~Raven.

 

and in text of any serious writings of any sort...

 

when i am writing on paper i use the "&" or "+" sign, but the teacher hates that. i cannot be bothered to write it our properly though when i am writing. when i am typing i always use "and".
Heather

 

I use & when I am writing a short note to leave on the table or door for people if I have to take off out quickly and expecting someone, but in writing it really holds no purpose other than a lazy writer in my opinion.
I never use & in poetry or my short stories that I write and honestly think that it ruins a piece and makes it look sloppy.
For a draft of your piece, I guess you could use it, but I would stick to the full word, honestly it looks neater and a lot more professional. If you want to be taken seriously, grammar and spelling are the key to getting there.
A very wise lady told me that without proper spelling amd grammar you can not expect anyone to take you seriously and she was correct.
Thankyou Maia.

~Torana

 

de nada, amiga!

 

Most professors I have written reports for would cross out the ampersand and write the "and" in red marks.

 

True