How to modify those sentences?

[Hiya Raymond]

Does the penultimate sentence usually cause misunderstanding/ambiguousness? Is it only rejecting the former or the latter, or both?
1. He can’t read and write.
2. He can’t read or write.

Also,how to modify the following interrogative sentences? Which one is better?
1'. "Does the penultimate sentence usually cause misunderstanding? Is it only rejecting the former or the latter, or both?"
2'. "Does the the last but one sentence usually cause ambiguousness? Is it only negating the former or the latter, or both?"

Thanks a lot!

 

[5jj]

Does the penultimate sentence usually cause misunderstanding/ambiguousness? Is it only rejecting the former or the latter, or both?
1. He can’t read and write.
2. He can’t read or write.

When we are speaking of only two things, 'penultimate' is a very unnatural word to use. 'First' is far more natural.

#1 could possibly mean that he can do one of the two things but not both. If you want to be clear that he can neither read nor write, then #2 is appropriate.

 

[charliedeut]

he can neither read nor rite :shock:

I think your spellchecker is still on holiday! :lol:

 

[Rover_KE]

Spellcheckers have a very limited use.

My stupid one accepts the following as correct:

'Ewe no yore knot aloud two reed allowed inn hear.'

 

[emsr2d2]

The only reliable spellchecker is someone else's eyes.

 

[charliedeut]

'Ewe no yore knot aloud two reed allowed inn hear.'

:shock:

 

[Hiya Raymond]

Are the following sentences correct?
1. He can't read but can write.
2. He can read but can't write.

Also,I think "Is it only negating/rejecting the former or the latter, or both?" may be not natural,how to modify it?

Thanks a lot!

 

[5jj]

Are the following sentences correct?
1. He can't read but can write.
2. He can read but can't write.

Yes

Also,I think "Is it only negating/rejecting the former or the latter, or both?" may be not natural,how to modify it?

Is it negating only the the former, only the latter, or both?