Factorization of messages with similar meaning

index cbf73b8c9f6..4bd8a57f190 100644
@@ -1621,7 +1621,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				cb_option, toupper(cb_option));
 
 	if (opts->overlay_mode == 1 && opts->patch_mode)
-		die(_("-p and --overlay are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-p", "--overlay");
 
 	if (opts->checkout_index >= 0 || opts->checkout_worktree >= 0) {
 		if (opts->checkout_index < 0)

index f33d30d57bf..08d5477486a 100644
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ int cmd_diff_tree(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	}
 
 	if (read_stdin && merge_base)
-		die(_("--stdin and --merge-base are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--stdin", "--merge-base");
 	if (merge_base && opt->pending.nr != 2)
 		die(_("--merge-base only works with two commits"));
 

index f7abbc31ff1..bec3cc7535e 100644
@@ -2012,7 +2012,7 @@ int cmd_fetch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		if (deepen_relative < 0)
 			die(_("Negative depth in --deepen is not supported"));
 		if (depth)
-			die(_("--deepen and --depth are mutually exclusive"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--deepen", "--depth");
 		depth = xstrfmt("%d", deepen_relative);
 	}
 	if (unshallow) {

index 2167796ff2a..1439e05c93d 100644
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ int cmd_init_db(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, init_db_options, init_db_usage, 0);
 
 	if (real_git_dir && is_bare_repository_cfg == 1)
-		die(_("--separate-git-dir and --bare are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--separate-git-dir", "--bare");
 
 	if (real_git_dir && !is_absolute_path(real_git_dir))
 		real_git_dir = real_pathdup(real_git_dir, 1);

index f75d87e8d7f..a2005e3c778 100644
@@ -1928,9 +1928,9 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		numbered = 0;
 
 	if (numbered && keep_subject)
-		die(_("-n and -k are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-n", "-k");
 	if (keep_subject && subject_prefix)
-		die(_("--subject-prefix/--rfc and -k are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--subject-prefix/--rfc", "-k");
 	rev.preserve_subject = keep_subject;
 
 	argc = setup_revisions(argc, argv, &rev, &s_r_opt);

index e630f0c730e..beedd873894 100644
@@ -1313,7 +1313,7 @@ static int module_summary(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (files) {
 		if (cached)
-			die(_("--cached and --files are mutually exclusive"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--cached", "--files");
 		diff_cmd = DIFF_FILES;
 	}
 

@@ -2971,7 +2971,7 @@ static int module_set_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--branch or --default required"));
 
 	if (opt_branch && opt_default)
-		die(_("--branch and --default are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--branch", "--default");
 
 	if (argc != 1 || !(path = argv[0]))
 		usage_with_options(usage, options);

index d22ece93e1a..9287c455594 100644
@@ -700,7 +700,7 @@ static int list(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	if (ac)
 		usage_with_options(worktree_usage, options);
 	else if (verbose && porcelain)
-		die(_("--verbose and --porcelain are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--verbose", "--porcelain");
 	else {
 		struct worktree **worktrees = get_worktrees();
 		int path_maxlen = 0, abbrev = DEFAULT_ABBREV, i;

index cac89a2f4f2..bd954988e0f 100644
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ int show_range_diff(const char *range1, const char *range2,
 	struct string_list branch2 = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
 
 	if (range_diff_opts->left_only && range_diff_opts->right_only)
-		res = error(_("--left-only and --right-only are mutually exclusive"));
+		res = error(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--left-only", "--right-only");
 
 	if (!res && read_patches(range1, &branch1, range_diff_opts->other_arg))
 		res = error(_("could not parse log for '%s'"), range1);

index 4931c108451..61ebfa9c68c 100644
@@ -739,7 +739,7 @@ int cmd_difftool(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--dir-diff is incompatible with --no-index"));
 
 	if (use_gui_tool + !!difftool_cmd + !!extcmd > 1)
-		die(_("--gui, --tool and --extcmd are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--gui", "--tool", "--extcmd");
 
 	if (use_gui_tool)
 		setenv("GIT_MERGETOOL_GUI", "true", 1);

index a2005e3c778..c39b974ea37 100644
@@ -1964,7 +1964,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		load_display_notes(&rev.notes_opt);
 
 	if (use_stdout + rev.diffopt.close_file + !!output_directory > 1)
-		die(_("--stdout, --output, and --output-directory are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--stdout", "--output", "--output-directory");
 
 	if (use_stdout) {
 		setup_pager();

index 9287c455594..73ee505234c 100644
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	opts.checkout = 1;
 	ac = parse_options(ac, av, prefix, options, worktree_usage, 0);
 	if (!!opts.detach + !!new_branch + !!new_branch_force > 1)
-		die(_("-b, -B, and --detach are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-b", "-B", "--detach");
 	if (lock_reason && !keep_locked)
 		die(_("--reason requires --lock"));
 	if (lock_reason)

index 861282db1c3..342e53f1c1f 100644
@@ -4642,7 +4642,7 @@ void diff_setup_done(struct diff_options *options)
 		die(_("--name-only, --name-status, --check and -s are mutually exclusive"));
 
 	if (HAS_MULTI_BITS(options->pickaxe_opts & DIFF_PICKAXE_KINDS_MASK))
-		die(_("-G, -S and --find-object are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-G", "-S", "--find-object");
 
 	if (HAS_MULTI_BITS(options->pickaxe_opts & DIFF_PICKAXE_KINDS_G_REGEX_MASK))
 		die(_("-G and --pickaxe-regex are mutually exclusive, use --pickaxe-regex with -S"));

index 43a0aebf4ee..fefec23f1ec 100644
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 	int is_not_gitdir = !startup_info->have_repository;
 
 	if (state->apply_with_reject && state->threeway)
-		return error(_("--reject and --3way cannot be used together."));
+		return error(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"),"--reject",  "--3way");
 	if (state->threeway) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
 			return error(_("--3way outside a repository"));

index a3bbb091256..10376be7161 100644
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ static int parse_archive_args(int argc, const char **argv,
 	if (output)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --output"));
 	if (is_remote && args->extra_files.nr)
-		die(_("Options --add-file and --remote cannot be used together"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--add-file", "--remote");
 
 	if (!base)
 		base = "";

index ef6b619c45e..de1547b3dcd 100644
@@ -510,9 +510,9 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		add_interactive = 1;
 	if (add_interactive) {
 		if (show_only)
-			die(_("--dry-run is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--dry-run", "--interactive/--patch");
 		if (pathspec_from_file)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--interactive/--patch");
 		exit(interactive_add(argv + 1, prefix, patch_interactive));
 	}
 	if (legacy_stash_p) {

@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (edit_interactive) {
 		if (pathspec_from_file)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --edit"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--edit");
 		return(edit_patch(argc, argv, prefix));
 	}
 	argc--;

@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		addremove = 0; /* "-u" was given but not "-A" */
 
 	if (addremove && take_worktree_changes)
-		die(_("-A and -u are mutually incompatible"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-A", "-u");
 
 	if (!show_only && ignore_missing)
 		die(_("Option --ignore-missing can only be used together with --dry-run"));

index 7a1d1eeb070..50d99fa6fd4 100644
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ int cmd_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
 	if (filter.verbose) {
 		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
-			die(_("--column and --verbose are incompatible"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--column", "--verbose");
 		colopts = 0;
 	}
 

index 4bd8a57f190..ca444e9c177 100644
@@ -1731,10 +1731,10 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));
 
 		if (opts->force_detach)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --detach"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file",  "--detach");
 
 		if (opts->patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		parse_pathspec_file(&opts->pathspec, 0,
 				    0,

index fb377b27657..b8c3f072bae 100644
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ int cmd_clone(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			die(_("--bare and --origin %s options are incompatible."),
 			    option_origin);
 		if (real_git_dir)
-			die(_("--bare and --separate-git-dir are incompatible."));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--bare", "--separate-git-dir");
 		option_no_checkout = 1;
 	}
 

index 883c16256c8..cb7b9a38daa 100644
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ static const char *prepare_index(const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (interactive)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--interactive/--patch");
 
 		if (all)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file with -a does not make sense"));

@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ static void finalize_deferred_config(struct wt_status *s)
 		    status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_UNSPECIFIED)
 			status_format = STATUS_FORMAT_PORCELAIN;
 		else if (status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_LONG)
-			die(_("--long and -z are incompatible"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--long", "-z");
 	}
 
 	if (use_deferred_config && status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_UNSPECIFIED)

index e912ba50d7b..26da61a216f 100644
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ int cmd_describe(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	save_commit_buffer = 0;
 
 	if (longformat && abbrev == 0)
-		die(_("--long is incompatible with --abbrev=0"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--long", "--abbrev=0");
 
 	if (contains) {
 		struct string_list_item *item;

index 61ebfa9c68c..ab8f06c991d 100644
@@ -736,7 +736,7 @@ int cmd_difftool(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		setenv(GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT, absolute_path(get_git_dir()), 1);
 		setenv(GIT_WORK_TREE_ENVIRONMENT, absolute_path(get_git_work_tree()), 1);
 	} else if (dir_diff)
-		die(_("--dir-diff is incompatible with --no-index"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--dir-diff", "--no-index");
 
 	if (use_gui_tool + !!difftool_cmd + !!extcmd > 1)
 		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--gui", "--tool", "--extcmd");

index 8e2caf72819..31157e966d6 100644
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ int cmd_fast_export(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		printf("feature done\n");
 
 	if (import_filename && import_filename_if_exists)
-		die(_("Cannot pass both --import-marks and --import-marks-if-exists"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--import-marks", "--import-marks-if-exists");
 	if (import_filename)
 		import_marks(import_filename, 0);
 	else if (import_filename_if_exists)

index c23d01de7dc..f9b40349f41 100644
@@ -1849,7 +1849,7 @@ int cmd_index_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (from_stdin && !startup_info->have_repository)
 		die(_("--stdin requires a git repository"));
 	if (from_stdin && hash_algo)
-		die(_("--object-format cannot be used with --stdin"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--object-format", "--stdin");
 	if (!index_name && pack_name)
 		index_name = derive_filename(pack_name, "pack", "idx", &index_name_buf);
 

index 1a3dd445f83..a5e674894f0 100644
@@ -4070,7 +4070,7 @@ int cmd_pack_objects(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--thin cannot be used to build an indexable pack"));
 
 	if (keep_unreachable && unpack_unreachable)
-		die(_("--keep-unreachable and --unpack-unreachable are incompatible"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--keep-unreachable", "--unpack-unreachable");
 	if (!rev_list_all || !rev_list_reflog || !rev_list_index)
 		unpack_unreachable_expiration = 0;
 

index 4b026ce6c6a..ba55e07a678 100644
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ int cmd_push(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	set_push_cert_flags(&flags, push_cert);
 
 	if (deleterefs && (tags || (flags & (TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL | TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR))))
-		die(_("--delete is incompatible with --all, --mirror and --tags"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--delete", "--all/--mirror/--tags");
 	if (deleterefs && argc < 2)
 		die(_("--delete doesn't make sense without any refs"));
 

@@ -627,18 +627,18 @@ int cmd_push(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL) {
 		if (tags)
-			die(_("--all and --tags are incompatible"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--all", "--tags");
 		if (argc >= 2)
 			die(_("--all can't be combined with refspecs"));
 	}
 	if (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR) {
 		if (tags)
-			die(_("--mirror and --tags are incompatible"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--mirror", "--tags");
 		if (argc >= 2)
 			die(_("--mirror can't be combined with refspecs"));
 	}
 	if ((flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL) && (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR))
-		die(_("--all and --mirror are incompatible"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--all", "--mirror");
 
 	if (!is_empty_cas(&cas) && (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_FORCE_IF_INCLUDES))
 		cas.use_force_if_includes = 1;

index 0b2d1e5d82b..8e92943f871 100644
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ int cmd_repack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (keep_unreachable &&
 	    (unpack_unreachable || (pack_everything & LOOSEN_UNREACHABLE)))
-		die(_("--keep-unreachable and -A are incompatible"));
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--keep-unreachable", "-A");
 
 	if (write_bitmaps < 0) {
 		if (!write_midx &&

@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ int cmd_repack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (geometric_factor) {
 		if (pack_everything)
-			die(_("--geometric is incompatible with -A, -a"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"),"--geometric", "-A/-a");
 		init_pack_geometry(&geometry);
 		split_pack_geometry(geometry, geometric_factor);
 	}

index 73935953494..6e80e5c5a51 100644
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		if (pathspec.nr)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));

@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (patch_mode) {
 		if (reset_type != NONE)
-			die(_("--patch is incompatible with --{hard,mixed,soft}"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--patch", "--{hard,mixed,soft}");
 		trace2_cmd_mode("patch-interactive");
 		return run_add_interactive(rev, "--patch=reset", &pathspec);
 	}

index a0ccc8654df..080572cc608 100644
@@ -1644,7 +1644,7 @@ static int push_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		if (ps.nr)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));

index 6fe646710d6..41941d5129f 100644
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
 	if (cmdmode == 'l' && filter.lines != -1) {
 		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
-			die(_("--column and -n are incompatible"));
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--column", "-n");
 		colopts = 0;
 	}
 	if (!sorting)

index 1981a0859f0..58a1a0e66c6 100644
@@ -2295,11 +2295,11 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		revs->left_only = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--right-only")) {
 		if (revs->left_only)
-			die("--right-only is incompatible with --left-only");
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--right-only", "--left-only");
 		revs->right_only = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry")) {
 		if (revs->left_only)
-			die("--cherry is incompatible with --left-only");
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--cherry", "--left-only");
 		revs->cherry_mark = 1;
 		revs->right_only = 1;
 		revs->max_parents = 1;

@@ -2308,12 +2308,12 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		revs->count = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry-mark")) {
 		if (revs->cherry_pick)
-			die("--cherry-mark is incompatible with --cherry-pick");
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--cherry-mark", "--cherry-pick");
 		revs->cherry_mark = 1;
 		revs->limited = 1; /* needs limit_list() */
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry-pick")) {
 		if (revs->cherry_mark)
-			die("--cherry-pick is incompatible with --cherry-mark");
+			die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--cherry-pick", "--cherry-mark");
 		revs->cherry_pick = 1;
 		revs->limited = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--objects")) {

@@ -2519,7 +2519,7 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		return opts;
 	}
 	if (revs->graph && revs->track_linear)
-		die("--show-linear-break and --graph are incompatible");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--show-linear-break", "--graph");
 
 	return 1;
 }

@@ -2862,24 +2862,24 @@ int setup_revisions(int argc, const char **argv, struct rev_info *revs, struct s
 	compile_grep_patterns(&revs->grep_filter);
 
 	if (revs->reverse && revs->reflog_info)
-		die("cannot combine --reverse with --walk-reflogs");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--reverse", "--walk-reflogs");
 	if (revs->reflog_info && revs->limited)
 		die("cannot combine --walk-reflogs with history-limiting options");
 	if (revs->rewrite_parents && revs->children.name)
-		die("cannot combine --parents and --children");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--parents", "--children");
 
 	/*
 	 * Limitations on the graph functionality
 	 */
 	if (revs->reverse && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --reverse with --graph");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--reverse", "--graph");
 
 	if (revs->reflog_info && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --walk-reflogs with --graph");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--walk-reflogs", "--graph");
 	if (revs->no_walk && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --no-walk with --graph");
+		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "--no-walk", "--graph");
 	if (!revs->reflog_info && revs->grep_filter.use_reflog_filter)
-		die("cannot use --grep-reflog without --walk-reflogs");
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--grep-reflog", "--walk-reflogs");
 
 	if (revs->line_level_traverse &&
 	    (revs->diffopt.output_format & ~(DIFF_FORMAT_PATCH | DIFF_FORMAT_NO_OUTPUT)))

index 10376be7161..f1208beacff 100644
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ static int write_archive_entry(const struct object_id *oid, const char *base,
 
 	buffer = object_file_to_archive(args, path.buf, oid, mode, &type, &size);
 	if (!buffer)
-		return error(_("cannot read %s"), oid_to_hex(oid));
+		return error(_("cannot read '%s'"), oid_to_hex(oid));
 	err = write_entry(args, oid, path.buf, path.len, mode, buffer, size);
 	free(buffer);
 	return err;

@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ int write_archive_entries(struct archiver_args *args,
 
 		strbuf_reset(&content);
 		if (strbuf_read_file(&content, path, info->stat.st_size) < 0)
-			err = error_errno(_("could not read '%s'"), path);
+			err = error_errno(_("cannot read '%s'"), path);
 		else
 			err = write_entry(args, &fake_oid, path_in_archive.buf,
 					  path_in_archive.len,

index bec3cc7535e..b0d63149388 100644
@@ -995,7 +995,7 @@ static int open_fetch_head(struct fetch_head *fetch_head)
 	if (write_fetch_head) {
 		fetch_head->fp = fopen(filename, "a");
 		if (!fetch_head->fp)
-			return error_errno(_("cannot open %s"), filename);
+			return error_errno(_("cannot open '%s'"), filename);
 		strbuf_init(&fetch_head->buf, 0);
 	} else {
 		fetch_head->fp = NULL;

@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ static int truncate_fetch_head(void)
 	FILE *fp = fopen_for_writing(filename);
 
 	if (!fp)
-		return error_errno(_("cannot open %s"), filename);
+		return error_errno(_("cannot open '%s'"), filename);
 	fclose(fp);
 	return 0;
 }

index 41941d5129f..6415d6c81a2 100644
@@ -543,13 +543,13 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		goto cleanup;
 	}
 	if (filter.lines != -1)
-		die(_("-n option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		die(_("%s option is only allowed in list mode"), "-n");
 	if (filter.with_commit)
-		die(_("--contains option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		die(_("%s option is only allowed in list mode"), "--contains");
 	if (filter.no_commit)
-		die(_("--no-contains option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		die(_("%s option is only allowed in list mode"), "--no-contains");
 	if (filter.points_at.nr)
-		die(_("--points-at option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		die(_("%s option is only allowed in list mode"), "--points-at");
 	if (filter.reachable_from || filter.unreachable_from)
 		die(_("--merged and --no-merged options are only allowed in list mode"));
 	if (cmdmode == 'd') {

index f1208beacff..0d96217b4d4 100644
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ static int parse_archive_args(int argc, const char **argv,
 	if (remote)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --remote"));
 	if (exec)
-		die(_("Option --exec can only be used together with --remote"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--exec", "--remote");
 	if (output)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --output"));
 	if (is_remote && args->extra_files.nr)

index de1547b3dcd..1be22f8c287 100644
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-A", "-u");
 
 	if (!show_only && ignore_missing)
-		die(_("Option --ignore-missing can only be used together with --dry-run"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--ignore-missing", "--dry-run");
 
 	if (chmod_arg && ((chmod_arg[0] != '-' && chmod_arg[0] != '+') ||
 			  chmod_arg[1] != 'x' || chmod_arg[2]))

@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_SYMLINK_LEADING_PATH,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (require_pathspec && pathspec.nr == 0) {

index ca444e9c177..825e753f607 100644
@@ -1740,7 +1740,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    0,
 				    prefix, opts->pathspec_from_file, opts->pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (opts->pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	opts->pathspec.recursive = 1;

index cb7b9a38daa..37e8cf09bd5 100644
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ static const char *prepare_index(const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (!pathspec.nr && (also || (only && !allow_empty &&

index 31157e966d6..b0302a75374 100644
@@ -1254,7 +1254,7 @@ int cmd_fast_export(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		usage_with_options (fast_export_usage, options);
 
 	if (anonymized_seeds.cmpfn && !anonymize)
-		die(_("--anonymize-map without --anonymize does not make sense"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--anonymize-map", "--anonymize");
 
 	if (refspecs_list.nr) {
 		int i;

index f9b40349f41..ed16230fa99 100644
@@ -1845,7 +1845,7 @@ int cmd_index_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (!pack_name && !from_stdin)
 		usage(index_pack_usage);
 	if (fix_thin_pack && !from_stdin)
-		die(_("--fix-thin cannot be used without --stdin"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--fix-thin", "--stdin");
 	if (from_stdin && !startup_info->have_repository)
 		die(_("--stdin requires a git repository"));
 	if (from_stdin && hash_algo)

index c39b974ea37..ea54576f38b 100644
@@ -2097,7 +2097,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (creation_factor < 0)
 		creation_factor = RANGE_DIFF_CREATION_FACTOR_DEFAULT;
 	else if (!rdiff_prev)
-		die(_("--creation-factor requires --range-diff"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--creation-factor", "--range-diff");
 
 	if (rdiff_prev) {
 		if (!cover_letter && total != 1)

index 6e80e5c5a51..7efa95e0529 100644
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	unborn = !strcmp(rev, "HEAD") && get_oid("HEAD", &oid);

@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		    _(reset_type_names[reset_type]));
 
 	if (intent_to_add && reset_type != MIXED)
-		die(_("-N can only be used with --mixed"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "-N", "--mixed");
 
 	/* Soft reset does not touch the index file nor the working tree
 	 * at all, but requires them in a good order.  Other resets reset

index 3d0967cdc11..38ac3c71252 100644
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ int cmd_rm(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_CWD,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (!pathspec.nr)

index 080572cc608..84a0a4667e6 100644
@@ -1653,7 +1653,7 @@ static int push_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL | PATHSPEC_PREFIX_ORIGIN,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	return do_push_stash(&ps, stash_msg, quiet, keep_index, patch_mode,

index 73ee505234c..c6d64dc8dfa 100644
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	if (!!opts.detach + !!new_branch + !!new_branch_force > 1)
 		die(_("%s, %s and %s are mutually exclusive"), "-b", "-B", "--detach");
 	if (lock_reason && !keep_locked)
-		die(_("--reason requires --lock"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--reason", "--lock");
 	if (lock_reason)
 		opts.keep_locked = lock_reason;
 	else if (keep_locked)

index a9604f35a3e..0bdef8877c1 100644
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ static int find_common(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	if (args->stateless_rpc && multi_ack == 1)
-		die(_("--stateless-rpc requires multi_ack_detailed"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--stateless-rpc", "multi_ack_detailed");
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |

index fa642462a9e..68cbfc1979d 100644
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (packfile) {
 		if (!index_pack_args.nr)
-			die(_("--packfile requires --index-pack-args"));
+			die(_("%s requires %s"), "--packfile", "--index-pack-args");
 
 		fetch_single_packfile(&packfile_hash, argv[arg],
 				      index_pack_args.v);

@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 	}
 
 	if (index_pack_args.nr)
-		die(_("--index-pack-args can only be used with --packfile"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--index-pack-args", "--packfile");
 
 	if (commits_on_stdin) {
 		commits = walker_targets_stdin(&commit_id, &write_ref);

index 5ff21be21f3..8624730f022 100644
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "--git-dir")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for --git-dir\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "--git-dir");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			setenv(GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT, (*argv)[1], 1);

@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "--work-tree")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for --work-tree\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "--work-tree");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			setenv(GIT_WORK_TREE_ENVIRONMENT, (*argv)[1], 1);

@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "-C")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for -C\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "-C");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			if ((*argv)[1][0]) {

index 08a3f839c97..554c2ba1b17 100644
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ static int objectsize_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *a
 		else
 			oi.info.disk_sizep = &oi.disk_size;
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(objectsize) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "objectsize", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ static int subject_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom
 	else if (!strcmp(arg, "sanitize"))
 		atom->u.contents.option = C_SUB_SANITIZE;
 	else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(subject) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "subject", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static int contents_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *ato
 		if (strtoul_ui(arg, 10, &atom->u.contents.nlines))
 			return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("positive value expected contents:lines=%s"), arg);
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(contents) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "contents", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ static int raw_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 	else if (!strcmp(arg, "size"))
 		atom->u.raw_data.option = RAW_LENGTH;
 	else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(raw) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "raw", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ static int align_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 		else if ((position = parse_align_position(s)) >= 0)
 			align->position = position;
 		else {
-			strbuf_addf(err, _("unrecognized %%(align) argument: %s"), s);
+			strbuf_addf(err, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "align", s);
 			string_list_clear(&params, 0);
 			return -1;
 		}

@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ static int if_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 	} else if (skip_prefix(arg, "notequals=", &atom->u.if_then_else.str)) {
 		atom->u.if_then_else.cmp_status = COMPARE_UNEQUAL;
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(if) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "if", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

index fefec23f1ec..13b9abafe9d 100644
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 		return error(_("%s and %s are mutually exclusive"),"--reject",  "--3way");
 	if (state->threeway) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
-			return error(_("--3way outside a repository"));
+			return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--3way");
 		state->check_index = 1;
 	}
 	if (state->apply_with_reject) {

@@ -147,10 +147,10 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 	if (!force_apply && (state->diffstat || state->numstat || state->summary || state->check || state->fake_ancestor))
 		state->apply = 0;
 	if (state->check_index && is_not_gitdir)
-		return error(_("--index outside a repository"));
+		return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--index");
 	if (state->cached) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
-			return error(_("--cached outside a repository"));
+			return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--cached");
 		state->check_index = 1;
 	}
 	if (state->ita_only && (state->check_index || is_not_gitdir))

index 554c2ba1b17..b515efeaa25 100644
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ static void if_then_else_handler(struct ref_formatting_stack **stack)
 	struct if_then_else *if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)cur->at_end_data;
 
 	if (!if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
-		die(_("format: %%(if) atom used without a %%(then) atom"));
+		die(_("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "if", "then");
 
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen) {
 		/*

@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ static int then_atom_handler(struct atom_value *atomv, struct ref_formatting_sta
 	if (cur->at_end == if_then_else_handler)
 		if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)cur->at_end_data;
 	if (!if_then_else)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(then) atom used without an %%(if) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "then", "if");
 	if (if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
 		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(then) atom used more than once"));
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen)

@@ -943,9 +943,9 @@ static int else_atom_handler(struct atom_value *atomv, struct ref_formatting_sta
 	if (prev->at_end == if_then_else_handler)
 		if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)prev->at_end_data;
 	if (!if_then_else)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used without an %%(if) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "else", "if");
 	if (!if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used without a %%(then) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "else", "then");
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen)
 		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used more than once"));
 	if_then_else->else_atom_seen = 1;

index 72beeb49aa9..79014e1cb6c 100644
@@ -1639,7 +1639,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				cb_option, toupper(cb_option));
 
 	if (opts->overlay_mode == 1 && opts->patch_mode)
-		die(_("-p and --overlay are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-p", "--overlay");
 
 	if (opts->checkout_index >= 0 || opts->checkout_worktree >= 0) {
 		if (opts->checkout_index < 0)

index f33d30d57bf..0e0ac1f1670 100644
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ int cmd_diff_tree(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	}
 
 	if (read_stdin && merge_base)
-		die(_("--stdin and --merge-base are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--stdin", "--merge-base");
 	if (merge_base && opt->pending.nr != 2)
 		die(_("--merge-base only works with two commits"));
 

index f1fe73a3e0f..2c584c85812 100644
@@ -2028,12 +2028,12 @@ int cmd_fetch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		if (deepen_relative < 0)
 			die(_("negative depth in --deepen is not supported"));
 		if (depth)
-			die(_("--deepen and --depth are mutually exclusive"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--deepen", "--depth");
 		depth = xstrfmt("%d", deepen_relative);
 	}
 	if (unshallow) {
 		if (depth)
-			die(_("--depth and --unshallow cannot be used together"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--depth", "--unshallow");
 		else if (!is_repository_shallow(the_repository))
 			die(_("--unshallow on a complete repository does not make sense"));
 		else

index 2167796ff2a..546f9c595e7 100644
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ int cmd_init_db(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, init_db_options, init_db_usage, 0);
 
 	if (real_git_dir && is_bare_repository_cfg == 1)
-		die(_("--separate-git-dir and --bare are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--separate-git-dir", "--bare");
 
 	if (real_git_dir && !is_absolute_path(real_git_dir))
 		real_git_dir = real_pathdup(real_git_dir, 1);

index 93ace0dde7d..fad93ad2fc1 100644
@@ -1943,9 +1943,9 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		numbered = 0;
 
 	if (numbered && keep_subject)
-		die(_("-n and -k are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-n", "-k");
 	if (keep_subject && subject_prefix)
-		die(_("--subject-prefix/--rfc and -k are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--subject-prefix/--rfc", "-k");
 	rev.preserve_subject = keep_subject;
 
 	argc = setup_revisions(argc, argv, &rev, &s_r_opt);

index 9b25a508e6a..c5d3fc3817f 100644
@@ -1313,7 +1313,7 @@ static int module_summary(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (files) {
 		if (cached)
-			die(_("--cached and --files are mutually exclusive"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--cached", "--files");
 		diff_cmd = DIFF_FILES;
 	}
 

@@ -2972,7 +2972,7 @@ static int module_set_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--branch or --default required"));
 
 	if (opt_branch && opt_default)
-		die(_("--branch and --default are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--branch", "--default");
 
 	if (argc != 1 || !(path = argv[0]))
 		usage_with_options(usage, options);

index a396cfdc64e..9a520485769 100644
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ static int list(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	if (ac)
 		usage_with_options(worktree_usage, options);
 	else if (verbose && porcelain)
-		die(_("--verbose and --porcelain are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--verbose", "--porcelain");
 	else {
 		struct worktree **worktrees = get_worktrees();
 		int path_maxlen = 0, abbrev = DEFAULT_ABBREV, i;

index cac89a2f4f2..30a4de5c2d8 100644
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ int show_range_diff(const char *range1, const char *range2,
 	struct string_list branch2 = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
 
 	if (range_diff_opts->left_only && range_diff_opts->right_only)
-		res = error(_("--left-only and --right-only are mutually exclusive"));
+		res = error(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--left-only", "--right-only");
 
 	if (!res && read_patches(range1, &branch1, range_diff_opts->other_arg))
 		res = error(_("could not parse log for '%s'"), range1);

index 4ee40fe3a06..c2b049aafc9 100644
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ int cmd_difftool(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--dir-diff is incompatible with --no-index"));
 
 	if (use_gui_tool + !!difftool_cmd + !!extcmd > 1)
-		die(_("--gui, --tool and --extcmd are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--gui", "--tool", "--extcmd");
 
 	if (use_gui_tool)
 		setenv("GIT_MERGETOOL_GUI", "true", 1);

index fad93ad2fc1..705d58110b0 100644
@@ -1979,7 +1979,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		load_display_notes(&rev.notes_opt);
 
 	if (use_stdout + rev.diffopt.close_file + !!output_directory > 1)
-		die(_("--stdout, --output, and --output-directory are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--stdout", "--output", "--output-directory");
 
 	if (use_stdout) {
 		setup_pager();

index 9a520485769..b5ef19b2dda 100644
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	opts.checkout = 1;
 	ac = parse_options(ac, av, prefix, options, worktree_usage, 0);
 	if (!!opts.detach + !!new_branch + !!new_branch_force > 1)
-		die(_("-b, -B, and --detach are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-b", "-B", "--detach");
 	if (lock_reason && !keep_locked)
 		die(_("--reason requires --lock"));
 	if (lock_reason)

index 41076857428..8de1c49763c 100644
@@ -4642,7 +4642,7 @@ void diff_setup_done(struct diff_options *options)
 		die(_("--name-only, --name-status, --check and -s are mutually exclusive"));
 
 	if (HAS_MULTI_BITS(options->pickaxe_opts & DIFF_PICKAXE_KINDS_MASK))
-		die(_("-G, -S and --find-object are mutually exclusive"));
+		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-G", "-S", "--find-object");
 
 	if (HAS_MULTI_BITS(options->pickaxe_opts & DIFF_PICKAXE_KINDS_G_REGEX_MASK))
 		die(_("-G and --pickaxe-regex are mutually exclusive, use --pickaxe-regex with -S"));

index fed195250b6..000f2a9b1b3 100644
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 	int is_not_gitdir = !startup_info->have_repository;
 
 	if (state->apply_with_reject && state->threeway)
-		return error(_("--reject and --3way cannot be used together."));
+		return error(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--reject",  "--3way");
 	if (state->threeway) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
 			return error(_("--3way outside a repository"));

index a3bbb091256..e85ba169088 100644
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ static int parse_archive_args(int argc, const char **argv,
 	if (output)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --output"));
 	if (is_remote && args->extra_files.nr)
-		die(_("Options --add-file and --remote cannot be used together"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--add-file", "--remote");
 
 	if (!base)
 		base = "";

index a010b2c325f..4b2754345ad 100644
@@ -507,9 +507,9 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		add_interactive = 1;
 	if (add_interactive) {
 		if (show_only)
-			die(_("--dry-run is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--dry-run", "--interactive/--patch");
 		if (pathspec_from_file)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--interactive/--patch");
 		exit(interactive_add(argv + 1, prefix, patch_interactive));
 	}
 	if (legacy_stash_p) {

@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (edit_interactive) {
 		if (pathspec_from_file)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --edit"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--edit");
 		return(edit_patch(argc, argv, prefix));
 	}
 	argc--;

@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		addremove = 0; /* "-u" was given but not "-A" */
 
 	if (addremove && take_worktree_changes)
-		die(_("-A and -u are mutually incompatible"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-A", "-u");
 
 	if (!show_only && ignore_missing)
 		die(_("Option --ignore-missing can only be used together with --dry-run"));

index 6c8b0fcc11f..0e93865371c 100644
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ int cmd_branch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
 	if (filter.verbose) {
 		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
-			die(_("--column and --verbose are incompatible"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--column", "--verbose");
 		colopts = 0;
 	}
 

index 79014e1cb6c..2d7bfbd0f1a 100644
@@ -1749,10 +1749,10 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));
 
 		if (opts->force_detach)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --detach"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file",  "--detach");
 
 		if (opts->patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		parse_pathspec_file(&opts->pathspec, 0,
 				    0,

index fb377b27657..13bdbe14b2f 100644
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ int cmd_clone(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			die(_("--bare and --origin %s options are incompatible."),
 			    option_origin);
 		if (real_git_dir)
-			die(_("--bare and --separate-git-dir are incompatible."));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--bare", "--separate-git-dir");
 		option_no_checkout = 1;
 	}
 

index 883c16256c8..5c1aaa42131 100644
@@ -355,10 +355,10 @@ static const char *prepare_index(const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (interactive)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --interactive/--patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--interactive/--patch");
 
 		if (all)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file with -a does not make sense"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--pathspec-from-file", "-a");
 
 		if (pathspec.nr)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));

@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ static void finalize_deferred_config(struct wt_status *s)
 		    status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_UNSPECIFIED)
 			status_format = STATUS_FORMAT_PORCELAIN;
 		else if (status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_LONG)
-			die(_("--long and -z are incompatible"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--long", "-z");
 	}
 
 	if (use_deferred_config && status_format == STATUS_FORMAT_UNSPECIFIED)

index e912ba50d7b..fd5ba1fc604 100644
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ int cmd_describe(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	save_commit_buffer = 0;
 
 	if (longformat && abbrev == 0)
-		die(_("--long is incompatible with --abbrev=0"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--long", "--abbrev=0");
 
 	if (contains) {
 		struct string_list_item *item;

index c2b049aafc9..f5db9bcd7b0 100644
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ int cmd_difftool(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		setenv(GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT, absolute_path(get_git_dir()), 1);
 		setenv(GIT_WORK_TREE_ENVIRONMENT, absolute_path(get_git_work_tree()), 1);
 	} else if (dir_diff)
-		die(_("--dir-diff is incompatible with --no-index"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--dir-diff", "--no-index");
 
 	if (use_gui_tool + !!difftool_cmd + !!extcmd > 1)
 		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--gui", "--tool", "--extcmd");

index 8e2caf72819..1f8fe7b3ac1 100644
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ int cmd_fast_export(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		printf("feature done\n");
 
 	if (import_filename && import_filename_if_exists)
-		die(_("Cannot pass both --import-marks and --import-marks-if-exists"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--import-marks", "--import-marks-if-exists");
 	if (import_filename)
 		import_marks(import_filename, 0);
 	else if (import_filename_if_exists)

index c23d01de7dc..30ce2ac746d 100644
@@ -1849,7 +1849,7 @@ int cmd_index_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (from_stdin && !startup_info->have_repository)
 		die(_("--stdin requires a git repository"));
 	if (from_stdin && hash_algo)
-		die(_("--object-format cannot be used with --stdin"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--object-format", "--stdin");
 	if (!index_name && pack_name)
 		index_name = derive_filename(pack_name, "pack", "idx", &index_name_buf);
 

index 031fef1bcaa..9c80cdae951 100644
@@ -767,7 +767,7 @@ int cmd_ls_files(int argc, const char **argv, const char *cmd_prefix)
 		 * would not make any sense with this option.
 		 */
 		if (show_stage || show_unmerged)
-			die("ls-files --with-tree is incompatible with -s or -u");
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "ls-files --with-tree", "-s/-u");
 		overlay_tree_on_index(the_repository->index, with_tree, max_prefix);
 	}
 

index 5f0476b0b76..6db961e9d34 100644
@@ -1396,9 +1396,9 @@ int cmd_merge(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (squash) {
 		if (fast_forward == FF_NO)
-			die(_("You cannot combine --squash with --no-ff."));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--squash", "--no-ff.");
 		if (option_commit > 0)
-			die(_("You cannot combine --squash with --commit."));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--squash", "--commit.");
 		/*
 		 * squash can now silently disable option_commit - this is not
 		 * a problem as it is only overriding the default, not a user

index b36ed828d8d..ba2006f2212 100644
@@ -4070,7 +4070,7 @@ int cmd_pack_objects(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("--thin cannot be used to build an indexable pack"));
 
 	if (keep_unreachable && unpack_unreachable)
-		die(_("--keep-unreachable and --unpack-unreachable are incompatible"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--keep-unreachable", "--unpack-unreachable");
 	if (!rev_list_all || !rev_list_reflog || !rev_list_index)
 		unpack_unreachable_expiration = 0;
 

index 4b026ce6c6a..359db90321c 100644
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ int cmd_push(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	set_push_cert_flags(&flags, push_cert);
 
 	if (deleterefs && (tags || (flags & (TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL | TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR))))
-		die(_("--delete is incompatible with --all, --mirror and --tags"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--delete", "--all/--mirror/--tags");
 	if (deleterefs && argc < 2)
 		die(_("--delete doesn't make sense without any refs"));
 

@@ -627,18 +627,18 @@ int cmd_push(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL) {
 		if (tags)
-			die(_("--all and --tags are incompatible"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--all", "--tags");
 		if (argc >= 2)
 			die(_("--all can't be combined with refspecs"));
 	}
 	if (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR) {
 		if (tags)
-			die(_("--mirror and --tags are incompatible"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--mirror", "--tags");
 		if (argc >= 2)
 			die(_("--mirror can't be combined with refspecs"));
 	}
 	if ((flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_ALL) && (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_MIRROR))
-		die(_("--all and --mirror are incompatible"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--all", "--mirror");
 
 	if (!is_empty_cas(&cas) && (flags & TRANSPORT_PUSH_FORCE_IF_INCLUDES))
 		cas.use_force_if_includes = 1;

index 34b4744e5f3..ed326b8aecc 100644
@@ -1190,13 +1190,13 @@ int cmd_rebase(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (keep_base) {
 		if (options.onto_name)
-			die(_("cannot combine '--keep-base' with '--onto'"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--keep-base", "--onto");
 		if (options.root)
-			die(_("cannot combine '--keep-base' with '--root'"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--keep-base", "--root");
 	}
 
 	if (options.root && options.fork_point > 0)
-		die(_("cannot combine '--root' with '--fork-point'"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--root", "--fork-point");
 
 	if (action != ACTION_NONE && !in_progress)
 		die(_("No rebase in progress?"));

index 9b0be6a6ab3..f13bca4719e 100644
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ int cmd_repack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (keep_unreachable &&
 	    (unpack_unreachable || (pack_everything & LOOSEN_UNREACHABLE)))
-		die(_("--keep-unreachable and -A are incompatible"));
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--keep-unreachable", "-A");
 
 	if (write_bitmaps < 0) {
 		if (!write_midx &&

@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ int cmd_repack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (geometric_factor) {
 		if (pack_everything)
-			die(_("--geometric is incompatible with -A, -a"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--geometric", "-A/-a");
 		init_pack_geometry(&geometry);
 		split_pack_geometry(geometry, geometric_factor);
 	}

index b1ff699b43a..248998fd6fa 100644
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		if (pathspec.nr)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));

@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (patch_mode) {
 		if (reset_type != NONE)
-			die(_("--patch is incompatible with --{hard,mixed,soft}"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--patch", "--{hard,mixed,soft}");
 		trace2_cmd_mode("patch-interactive");
 		return run_add_interactive(rev, "--patch=reset", &pathspec);
 	}

index 36cb909ebaa..de60cbdbc9d 100644
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ int cmd_rev_list(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		const char *arg = argv[i];
 		if (skip_prefix(arg, "--missing=", &arg)) {
 			if (revs.exclude_promisor_objects)
-				die(_("cannot combine --exclude-promisor-objects and --missing"));
+				die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--exclude-promisor-objects", "--missing");
 			if (parse_missing_action_value(arg))
 				break;
 		}

index f1e8318592c..e12c5e80e3e 100644
@@ -707,8 +707,8 @@ int cmd_show_branch(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 			 *
 			 * Also --all and --remotes do not make sense either.
 			 */
-			die(_("--reflog is incompatible with --all, --remotes, "
-			      "--independent or --merge-base"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--reflog",
+				"--all/--remotes/--independent/--merge-base");
 	}
 
 	/* If nothing is specified, show all branches by default */

index 18c812bbe03..4d793bd0b52 100644
@@ -1700,10 +1700,10 @@ static int push_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (patch_mode)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --patch"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--patch");
 
 		if (only_staged)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with --staged"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file", "--staged");
 
 		if (ps.nr)
 			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));

index 41863c5ab77..6f7cd0e3ef5 100644
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	finalize_colopts(&colopts, -1);
 	if (cmdmode == 'l' && filter.lines != -1) {
 		if (explicitly_enable_column(colopts))
-			die(_("--column and -n are incompatible"));
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--column", "-n");
 		colopts = 0;
 	}
 	sorting = ref_sorting_options(&sorting_options);

index 5390a479b30..fe445dd5d45 100644
@@ -2300,11 +2300,11 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		revs->left_only = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--right-only")) {
 		if (revs->left_only)
-			die("--right-only is incompatible with --left-only");
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--right-only", "--left-only");
 		revs->right_only = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry")) {
 		if (revs->left_only)
-			die("--cherry is incompatible with --left-only");
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--cherry", "--left-only");
 		revs->cherry_mark = 1;
 		revs->right_only = 1;
 		revs->max_parents = 1;

@@ -2313,12 +2313,12 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		revs->count = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry-mark")) {
 		if (revs->cherry_pick)
-			die("--cherry-mark is incompatible with --cherry-pick");
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--cherry-mark", "--cherry-pick");
 		revs->cherry_mark = 1;
 		revs->limited = 1; /* needs limit_list() */
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--cherry-pick")) {
 		if (revs->cherry_mark)
-			die("--cherry-pick is incompatible with --cherry-mark");
+			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--cherry-pick", "--cherry-mark");
 		revs->cherry_pick = 1;
 		revs->limited = 1;
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "--objects")) {

@@ -2524,7 +2524,7 @@ static int handle_revision_opt(struct rev_info *revs, int argc, const char **arg
 		return opts;
 	}
 	if (revs->graph && revs->track_linear)
-		die("--show-linear-break and --graph are incompatible");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--show-linear-break", "--graph");
 
 	return 1;
 }

@@ -2867,24 +2867,24 @@ int setup_revisions(int argc, const char **argv, struct rev_info *revs, struct s
 	compile_grep_patterns(&revs->grep_filter);
 
 	if (revs->reverse && revs->reflog_info)
-		die("cannot combine --reverse with --walk-reflogs");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--reverse", "--walk-reflogs");
 	if (revs->reflog_info && revs->limited)
 		die("cannot combine --walk-reflogs with history-limiting options");
 	if (revs->rewrite_parents && revs->children.name)
-		die("cannot combine --parents and --children");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--parents", "--children");
 
 	/*
 	 * Limitations on the graph functionality
 	 */
 	if (revs->reverse && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --reverse with --graph");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--reverse", "--graph");
 
 	if (revs->reflog_info && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --walk-reflogs with --graph");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--walk-reflogs", "--graph");
 	if (revs->no_walk && revs->graph)
-		die("cannot combine --no-walk with --graph");
+		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--no-walk", "--graph");
 	if (!revs->reflog_info && revs->grep_filter.use_reflog_filter)
-		die("cannot use --grep-reflog without --walk-reflogs");
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--grep-reflog", "--walk-reflogs");
 
 	if (revs->line_level_traverse &&
 	    (revs->diffopt.output_format & ~(DIFF_FORMAT_PATCH | DIFF_FORMAT_NO_OUTPUT)))

index e85ba169088..78d35467008 100644
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ static int write_archive_entry(const struct object_id *oid, const char *base,
 
 	buffer = object_file_to_archive(args, path.buf, oid, mode, &type, &size);
 	if (!buffer)
-		return error(_("cannot read %s"), oid_to_hex(oid));
+		return error(_("cannot read '%s'"), oid_to_hex(oid));
 	err = write_entry(args, oid, path.buf, path.len, mode, buffer, size);
 	free(buffer);
 	return err;

@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ int write_archive_entries(struct archiver_args *args,
 
 		strbuf_reset(&content);
 		if (strbuf_read_file(&content, path, info->stat.st_size) < 0)
-			err = error_errno(_("could not read '%s'"), path);
+			err = error_errno(_("cannot read '%s'"), path);
 		else
 			err = write_entry(args, &fake_oid, path_in_archive.buf,
 					  path_in_archive.len,

index 2c584c85812..c0855c363fd 100644
@@ -996,7 +996,7 @@ static int open_fetch_head(struct fetch_head *fetch_head)
 	if (write_fetch_head) {
 		fetch_head->fp = fopen(filename, "a");
 		if (!fetch_head->fp)
-			return error_errno(_("cannot open %s"), filename);
+			return error_errno(_("cannot open '%s'"), filename);
 		strbuf_init(&fetch_head->buf, 0);
 	} else {
 		fetch_head->fp = NULL;

@@ -1408,7 +1408,7 @@ static int truncate_fetch_head(void)
 	FILE *fp = fopen_for_writing(filename);
 
 	if (!fp)
-		return error_errno(_("cannot open %s"), filename);
+		return error_errno(_("cannot open '%s'"), filename);
 	fclose(fp);
 	return 0;
 }

index 6f7cd0e3ef5..a2ab2b15304 100644
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 	int ret = 0;
+	const char *only_in_list = NULL;
 
 	setup_ref_filter_porcelain_msg();
 

@@ -542,13 +543,15 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		goto cleanup;
 	}
 	if (filter.lines != -1)
-		die(_("-n option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		only_in_list = "-n";
 	if (filter.with_commit)
-		die(_("--contains option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		only_in_list = "--contains";
 	if (filter.no_commit)
-		die(_("--no-contains option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		only_in_list = "--no-contains";
 	if (filter.points_at.nr)
-		die(_("--points-at option is only allowed in list mode"));
+		only_in_list = "--points-at";
+	if (only_in_list)
+		die("the '%s' option is only allowed in list mode", only_in_list);
 	if (filter.reachable_from || filter.unreachable_from)
 		die(_("--merged and --no-merged options are only allowed in list mode"));
 	if (cmdmode == 'd') {

index 78d35467008..6fd4d951bd9 100644
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ static int parse_archive_args(int argc, const char **argv,
 	if (remote)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --remote"));
 	if (exec)
-		die(_("Option --exec can only be used together with --remote"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--exec", "--remote");
 	if (output)
 		die(_("Unexpected option --output"));
 	if (is_remote && args->extra_files.nr)

index 4b2754345ad..b505eca3d4d 100644
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-A", "-u");
 
 	if (!show_only && ignore_missing)
-		die(_("Option --ignore-missing can only be used together with --dry-run"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--ignore-missing", "--dry-run");
 
 	if (chmod_arg && ((chmod_arg[0] != '-' && chmod_arg[0] != '+') ||
 			  chmod_arg[1] != 'x' || chmod_arg[2]))

@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_SYMLINK_LEADING_PATH,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (require_pathspec && pathspec.nr == 0) {

index 2d7bfbd0f1a..d005aaad9f2 100644
@@ -1758,7 +1758,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    0,
 				    prefix, opts->pathspec_from_file, opts->pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (opts->pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	opts->pathspec.recursive = 1;

index 5c1aaa42131..eb803a96ae3 100644
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ static const char *prepare_index(const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (!pathspec.nr && (also || (only && !allow_empty &&

index 1f8fe7b3ac1..a1eba9298a4 100644
@@ -1254,7 +1254,7 @@ int cmd_fast_export(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		usage_with_options (fast_export_usage, options);
 
 	if (anonymized_seeds.cmpfn && !anonymize)
-		die(_("--anonymize-map without --anonymize does not make sense"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--anonymize-map", "--anonymize");
 
 	if (refspecs_list.nr) {
 		int i;

index 30ce2ac746d..6845bcb41af 100644
@@ -1845,7 +1845,7 @@ int cmd_index_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (!pack_name && !from_stdin)
 		usage(index_pack_usage);
 	if (fix_thin_pack && !from_stdin)
-		die(_("--fix-thin cannot be used without --stdin"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--fix-thin", "--stdin");
 	if (from_stdin && !startup_info->have_repository)
 		die(_("--stdin requires a git repository"));
 	if (from_stdin && hash_algo)

index 705d58110b0..8fe51bc8afb 100644
@@ -2112,7 +2112,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (creation_factor < 0)
 		creation_factor = RANGE_DIFF_CREATION_FACTOR_DEFAULT;
 	else if (!rdiff_prev)
-		die(_("--creation-factor requires --range-diff"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--creation-factor", "--range-diff");
 
 	if (rdiff_prev) {
 		if (!cover_letter && total != 1)

index 248998fd6fa..25f52ea99f6 100644
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	unborn = !strcmp(rev, "HEAD") && get_oid("HEAD", &oid);

@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ int cmd_reset(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		    _(reset_type_names[reset_type]));
 
 	if (intent_to_add && reset_type != MIXED)
-		die(_("-N can only be used with --mixed"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "-N", "--mixed");
 
 	prepare_repo_settings(the_repository);
 	the_repository->settings.command_requires_full_index = 0;

index 3d0967cdc11..38ac3c71252 100644
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ int cmd_rm(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_CWD,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	if (!pathspec.nr)

index 4d793bd0b52..7ad2f9aca87 100644
@@ -1712,7 +1712,7 @@ static int push_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL | PATHSPEC_PREFIX_ORIGIN,
 				    prefix, pathspec_from_file, pathspec_file_nul);
 	} else if (pathspec_file_nul) {
-		die(_("--pathspec-file-nul requires --pathspec-from-file"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--pathspec-file-nul", "--pathspec-from-file");
 	}
 
 	return do_push_stash(&ps, stash_msg, quiet, keep_index, patch_mode,

index b5ef19b2dda..bce01c8a671 100644
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	if (!!opts.detach + !!new_branch + !!new_branch_force > 1)
 		die(_("options '%s', '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-b", "-B", "--detach");
 	if (lock_reason && !keep_locked)
-		die(_("--reason requires --lock"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--reason", "--lock");
 	if (lock_reason)
 		opts.keep_locked = lock_reason;
 	else if (keep_locked)

index 34987a2c30d..0a5dfea9377 100644
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ static int find_common(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	if (args->stateless_rpc && multi_ack == 1)
-		die(_("--stateless-rpc requires multi_ack_detailed"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--stateless-rpc", "multi_ack_detailed");
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |

index c7c7d391ac5..eab45d2cc07 100644
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 
 	if (packfile) {
 		if (!index_pack_args.nr)
-			die(_("--packfile requires --index-pack-args"));
+			die(_("%s requires %s"), "--packfile", "--index-pack-args");
 
 		fetch_single_packfile(&packfile_hash, argv[arg],
 				      index_pack_args.v);

@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ int cmd_main(int argc, const char **argv)
 	}
 
 	if (index_pack_args.nr)
-		die(_("--index-pack-args can only be used with --packfile"));
+		die(_("%s requires %s"), "--index-pack-args", "--packfile");
 
 	if (commits_on_stdin) {
 		commits = walker_targets_stdin(&commit_id, &write_ref);

index 7edafd8ecff..7e361769ff6 100644
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "--git-dir")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for --git-dir\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "--git-dir");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			setenv(GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT, (*argv)[1], 1);

@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "--work-tree")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for --work-tree\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "--work-tree");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			setenv(GIT_WORK_TREE_ENVIRONMENT, (*argv)[1], 1);

@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ static int handle_options(const char ***argv, int *argc, int *envchanged)
 				*envchanged = 1;
 		} else if (!strcmp(cmd, "-C")) {
 			if (*argc < 2) {
-				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for -C\n" ));
+				fprintf(stderr, _("no directory given for %s\n" ), "-C");
 				usage(git_usage_string);
 			}
 			if ((*argv)[1][0]) {

index 7260fce31d0..adbcc680812 100644
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ static int objectsize_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *a
 		else
 			oi.info.disk_sizep = &oi.disk_size;
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(objectsize) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "objectsize", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ static int subject_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom
 	else if (!strcmp(arg, "sanitize"))
 		atom->u.contents.option = C_SUB_SANITIZE;
 	else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(subject) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "subject", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static int contents_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *ato
 		if (strtoul_ui(arg, 10, &atom->u.contents.nlines))
 			return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("positive value expected contents:lines=%s"), arg);
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(contents) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "contents", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ static int raw_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 	else if (!strcmp(arg, "size"))
 		atom->u.raw_data.option = RAW_LENGTH;
 	else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(raw) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "raw", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ static int oid_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 		if (atom->u.oid.length < MINIMUM_ABBREV)
 			atom->u.oid.length = MINIMUM_ABBREV;
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized argument '%s' in %%(%s)"), arg, atom->name);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), atom->name, arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ static int align_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 		else if ((position = parse_align_position(s)) >= 0)
 			align->position = position;
 		else {
-			strbuf_addf(err, _("unrecognized %%(align) argument: %s"), s);
+			strbuf_addf(err, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "align", s);
 			string_list_clear(&params, 0);
 			return -1;
 		}

@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ static int if_atom_parser(struct ref_format *format, struct used_atom *atom,
 	} else if (skip_prefix(arg, "notequals=", &atom->u.if_then_else.str)) {
 		atom->u.if_then_else.cmp_status = COMPARE_UNEQUAL;
 	} else
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(if) argument: %s"), arg);
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("unrecognized %%(%s) argument: %s"), "if", arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

index 000f2a9b1b3..8fd2ac2cfca 100644
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 		return error(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--reject",  "--3way");
 	if (state->threeway) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
-			return error(_("--3way outside a repository"));
+			return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--3way");
 		state->check_index = 1;
 	}
 	if (state->apply_with_reject) {

@@ -147,10 +147,10 @@ int check_apply_state(struct apply_state *state, int force_apply)
 	if (!force_apply && (state->diffstat || state->numstat || state->summary || state->check || state->fake_ancestor))
 		state->apply = 0;
 	if (state->check_index && is_not_gitdir)
-		return error(_("--index outside a repository"));
+		return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--index");
 	if (state->cached) {
 		if (is_not_gitdir)
-			return error(_("--cached outside a repository"));
+			return error(_("%s outside a repository"), "--cached");
 		state->check_index = 1;
 	}
 	if (state->ita_only && (state->check_index || is_not_gitdir))

index adbcc680812..f7a2f17bfd9 100644
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ static void if_then_else_handler(struct ref_formatting_stack **stack)
 	struct if_then_else *if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)cur->at_end_data;
 
 	if (!if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
-		die(_("format: %%(if) atom used without a %%(then) atom"));
+		die(_("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "if", "then");
 
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen) {
 		/*

@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ static int then_atom_handler(struct atom_value *atomv, struct ref_formatting_sta
 	if (cur->at_end == if_then_else_handler)
 		if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)cur->at_end_data;
 	if (!if_then_else)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(then) atom used without an %%(if) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "then", "if");
 	if (if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
 		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(then) atom used more than once"));
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen)

@@ -943,9 +943,9 @@ static int else_atom_handler(struct atom_value *atomv, struct ref_formatting_sta
 	if (prev->at_end == if_then_else_handler)
 		if_then_else = (struct if_then_else *)prev->at_end_data;
 	if (!if_then_else)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used without an %%(if) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "else", "if");
 	if (!if_then_else->then_atom_seen)
-		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used without a %%(then) atom"));
+		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(%s) atom used without a %%(%s) atom"), "else", "then");
 	if (if_then_else->else_atom_seen)
 		return strbuf_addf_ret(err, -1, _("format: %%(else) atom used more than once"));
 	if_then_else->else_atom_seen = 1;

index b505eca3d4d..ded15ca6eac 100644
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ int cmd_add(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (pathspec.nr)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));
+			die(_("'--pathspec-from-file' and pathspec arguments cannot be used together"));
 
 		parse_pathspec_file(&pathspec, PATHSPEC_ATTR,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL |

index 8677ea2348a..be0e32f69cf 100644
@@ -2230,8 +2230,8 @@ static int parse_opt_show_current_patch(const struct option *opt, const char *ar
 	}
 
 	if (resume->mode == RESUME_SHOW_PATCH && new_value != resume->sub_mode)
-		return error(_("--show-current-patch=%s is incompatible with "
-			       "--show-current-patch=%s"),
+		return error(_("options '--show-current-patch=%s' and '--show-current-patch=%s' "
+					   "cannot used together"),
 			     arg, valid_modes[resume->sub_mode]);
 
 	resume->mode = RESUME_SHOW_PATCH;

index 86fc03242b8..400ceaba5e8 100644
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ int cmd_cat_file(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	}
 
 	if (force_path && batch.enabled) {
-		error("--path=<path> incompatible with --batch");
+		error("'--path=<path>' and '--batch' cannot be used together");
 		usage_with_options(cat_file_usage, options);
 	}
 

index d005aaad9f2..e83684a58b9 100644
@@ -1635,7 +1635,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 	}
 
 	if ((!!opts->new_branch + !!opts->new_branch_force + !!opts->new_orphan_branch) > 1)
-		die(_("-%c, -%c and --orphan are mutually exclusive"),
+		die(_("options '-%c', '-%c' and '--orphan' cannot be used together"),
 				cb_option, toupper(cb_option));
 
 	if (opts->overlay_mode == 1 && opts->patch_mode)

@@ -1746,7 +1746,7 @@ static int checkout_main(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 
 	if (opts->pathspec_from_file) {
 		if (opts->pathspec.nr)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));
+			die(_("'--pathspec-from-file' and pathspec arguments cannot be used together"));
 
 		if (opts->force_detach)
 			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--pathspec-from-file",  "--detach");

index 13bdbe14b2f..cc92393e4a5 100644
@@ -900,7 +900,7 @@ int cmd_clone(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	if (option_bare) {
 		if (option_origin)
-			die(_("--bare and --origin %s options are incompatible."),
+			die(_("options '--bare' and '--origin %s' cannot be used together"),
 			    option_origin);
 		if (real_git_dir)
 			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--bare", "--separate-git-dir");

index eb803a96ae3..fa454ea9421 100644
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ static const char *prepare_index(const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 			die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"),"--pathspec-from-file", "-a");
 
 		if (pathspec.nr)
-			die(_("--pathspec-from-file is incompatible with pathspec arguments"));
+			die(_("'--pathspec-from-file' and pathspec arguments cannot be used together"));
 
 		parse_pathspec_file(&pathspec, 0,
 				    PATHSPEC_PREFER_FULL,

@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@ static int prepare_to_commit(const char *index_file, const char *prefix,
 
 		if (!strcmp(fixup_prefix, "amend")) {
 			if (have_option_m)
-				die(_("cannot combine -m with --fixup:%s"), fixup_message);
+				die(_("options '-m' and '--fixup:%s' cannot be used together"), fixup_message);
 			prepare_amend_commit(commit, &sb, &ctx);
 		}
 	} else if (!stat(git_path_merge_msg(the_repository), &statbuf)) {

@@ -1229,9 +1229,11 @@ static void check_fixup_reword_options(int argc, const char *argv[]) {
 			die(_("You are in the middle of a cherry-pick -- cannot reword."));
 	}
 	if (argc)
-		die(_("cannot combine reword option of --fixup with path '%s'"), *argv);
+		die(_("reword option of --fixup and path '%s' cannot be used together"), *argv);
 	if (patch_interactive || interactive || all || also || only)
-		die(_("reword option of --fixup is mutually exclusive with --patch/--interactive/--all/--include/--only"));
+		die(_("reword option of --fixup and "
+			  "--patch/--interactive/--all/--include/--only "
+			  "cannot be used together"));
 }
 
 static int parse_and_validate_options(int argc, const char *argv[],