Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel

[fenglish]

Hi,

As the following sentences, I think that the "and" should be replace with "or", right??

In his will he left instructions for the establishment of a foundation which would award monetary prizes to people who did outstanding work in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and for the promotion of world peace.

Thanks.

[Linguist__]

I can see what reason you have for thinking it should be "or" - that it seems like to be given the prize, you'd need outstanding achievement in both one of those sciences and peace.

However, I think the reason it is "and" is that it is simply a list of items. If you look at it is being just a list, and "for the promotion of world peace" is just the last item on that list, then "and" seems appropriate.

Perhaps the construction of the sentence would be less ambiguous if it were, "...which would award monetary prizes in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature to those who undertook outstanding work in these areas, and for the promotion of world peace." Or something similar... However, the sentence is perfectly understandable as it is.

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

As the following sentences, I think that the "and" should be replace with "or", right??

In his will he left instructions for the establishment of a foundation which would award monetary prizes to people who did outstanding work in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and for the promotion of world peace.

Thanks.

The sentence is correct as it is.