displaying multiple inequality symbols using expression()

Question

I have encountered difficulty trying to display multiple inequality symbols in a text box placed on a plot window in R. Using a single inequality is acceptable, such as mtext(expression("a">="b")). However, using three inequalities, such as mtext(expression("a">="b and c"<"d"<="e")) leads to halting of execution by the interpreter, which complains that the second inequality symbol is unexpected. How can multiple inequalities be used within a single text box?

Answer 1

You can also do this by mixing plotmath symbol and paste:

mtext(expression(a>b ~and ~paste(c < d) <= e))

Answer 2

You can use phantom() for a non-visible symbol:

plot(1)
mtext(expression(a >= b ~ and ~ c < d ~ phantom() <= e))