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Is there a term for "neutral" in the vein of "pros and cons"

English Language & Usage Asked on July 14, 2021

Pros means positive aspects
Cons means positive aspects
____ means neutral aspects

Is there a word to fill that blank?

4 Answers

The pro-ness or con-ness of a particular quality is always measured in respect to a stated goal or purpose. If something is neither pro nor con in respect to that goal or purpose, it is irrelevant in respect to it.

Answered by TRomano on July 14, 2021

Pros and Cons are essentially opinion based arguments. They are arguments for or against something. You can use "Neutral(ities)", "Noncommittal", or even just "Notes" as other words to describe a category/group/list of neutral aspects for the sake of argument or further consideration.

Pros means positive aspects
Cons means negative aspects
Noncommittal means neutral aspects

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/pro

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Cons

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/neutrality

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/noncommittal

Answered by user22542 on July 14, 2021

No. There is not.

However, the terms Pro and Con have come to have slightly different meanings in different contexts. Their origin is from the Latin and in that context means arguments for and against something [https://www.lexico.com/explore/pros-and-cons-origin]. In that context, there is no grammatically equivalent Latin construct now in English.

However, in modern English (particularly American English) "pro" and "con" are used more broadly. As other answers have noted, something which is not "for" or "against" something else (note the generalization beyond logical or rhetorical arguments) might be neutral, non-impactful, trivial, irrelevant, or any number of other things.

Answered by The Real Adrian on July 14, 2021

If you say "pros, cons, and nons," that would be nice and catchy. Maybe with a little note to explain. This would work for any register lower than academic paper or press release.

Answered by Ioanna on July 14, 2021

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