Ampersand Symbol - Rules and Examples (2024)

Rules and Examples

Theampersand symbol ( & ) is a symbol that can be used for theword "and."

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

The ampersand symbol should only be used in very informal writingunless it is being used in a formal company name.

On the keyboard:

On most keyboards, you can make the ampersand symbol by pressing theSHIFT key +the number 7on the top number line.

Rules for using the ampersand symbol

1. Use the ampersand symbol in sentences in place of the word "and."

The ampersand symbol should only be used in veryinformal writing suchas a friendly letter or email, texts, tweets, memos, rough drafts,class notes and journal writing.

Examples:

• Bill & I would like you to come to our house forsupper onSunday.
• At the zoo we saw lions, zebras, bears & monkeys.
• Combine the ingredients, then stir & pour into alarge pan.
  

  
  

2. The ampersand symbol is used in some formal company names andtitles.

Examples:

• AT&T
• Barnes & Noble
• Procter & Gamble
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Marley & Me (movie)
• Turner & Hootch (movie)
  

3. You can also use the ampersand symbol when addressing letters to acouple.

Examples:

• Mr. & Mrs. Johnson
• John & Sally Smith
  

  

Origin

The symbol ( & )

In Latin, "et" stands for "and."

The ampersand symbol ( & ) originally looked like a cursive"E" and "T" put together for the word "et."

The symbol was at the end of the Latin alphabet and the27th letter of the English alphabet.

The symbol has changed over time to look more stylish.

There are many different ways to make an ampersand symbol. The symbollooks slightly different when using different fonts on the computer.

Examples from MicrosoftWord:

&(Californian FB)

&(FrenchScript MT)

& (GoudyStout)

&(LucidaHandwriting)

&(MaiandraGD)

&(PoorRichard)

The word "ampersand"

The word "ampersand" comes from the phrase "and perse and".

And per se and= andthesymbol which by itself is and.

This phrase was used in English-speaking schoolswhen saying thealphabet.

Students would say "per se"(meaning"byitself") before anyletter of the alphabet that could stand for a word by itself. ("A" and"I" are two modern examples.)

The ampersand sign was at the end of the English and Latin alphabets.

At the end of the alphabet, students would say,

"X, Y, Z and per seand."

When it is said quickly, it sounds like,

"X, Y, Z ampersand."

"Ampersand" was added to dictionaries in 1837.

These were the uses of the ampersand symbol. Now that you know them, itistime to practice! Read and doexercises.