"One of X and Y" or "One of X or Y"
The following sentences are error messages a software gives out, when insufficient parameters are provided. ('searchterm' and 'pageindex' are possible parameters.)
- "You need to specify at least one of 'searchterm' and 'pageindex'."
- "You need to specify at least one of 'searchterm' or 'pageindex'."
Which of these sentences is grammatically correct? If they are both correct, is there a difference in meaning?
Solution 1:
Both of these are correct and have separate meanings:
"You need to specify at least one of 'searchterm' and 'pageindex': This means you need to have one searchterm and one pageindex. It only works if you have both instances.
"You need to specify at least one of 'searchterm' or 'pageindex': This means you don't need both, only one. One searchterm and zero 'pageindex's would work.