1. Giraffes are much taller than lions and elephants.

Question

(Does this sentence mean that giraffes are much taller than the height of lions plus the height of elephants?)

2. Giraffes are much taller than lions or elephants.

(I think 'or' is much better. What is the difference between Sentence 1 and Sentence 2?)

Answer 1

1 could be taken that way, I guess! One way to clear it up would be to write, "Giraffes are much taller than either lions or elephants."

2 is better.

Answer 2

Thank you.
(Does Sentence 1 sometimes mean Sentence 2? A little confusing....)

1. Giraffes are much taller than lions and elephants.

2. Giraffes are much taller than lions or elephants.

Answer 3

They would be commonly taken to mean about the same thing, but if you take the word "and" to be like a plus sign (+), then the meaning changes.

I'd stick with the "or" conjunction.

Answer 4

He is the tallest boy in the class (comparative)