Proposed resolution:

This wording is relative to N5014.

1. Modify [algorithms.requirements], as indicated:

   -11- In the description of the algorithms, operator `+` is used for some of the iterator categories for which it does not have to be defined. In these cases the semantics of `a + n` are the same as those of

       auto tmp = a;
       for (; n < 0; ++n) --tmp;
       for (; n > 0; --n) ++tmp;
       return tmp;
   

   Similarly, operator `-` is used for some combinations of iterators and sentinel types for which it does not have to be defined. If [`a`, `b`) denotes a range, the semantics of `b - a` in these cases are the same as those of

       iter_difference_t<decltype(a)> n = 0;
       for (auto tmp = a; tmp != b; ++tmp) ++n;
       return n;
   

   and if [`b`, `a`) denotes a range, the same as those of

       iter_difference_t<decltype(b)> n = 0;
       for (auto tmp = b; tmp != a; ++tmp) --n;
       return n;
   

   For each iterator `i` and sentinel `s` produced from a range `r`, the semantics of `s - i` are the same as those of an expression that has the same type, value, and value category as `ranges::distance(i, s)`.

   [Note 3: The implementation can use `ranges::distance(r)` when that produces the same value as `ranges::distance(i, s)`. This can be more efficient for sized ranges. — end note]

[ Kona 2025-11-08; Status changed: Immediate → WP. ]

[ Kona 2025-11-07; approved by LWG. Status changed: New → Immediate. ]

“the semantics of `s - i` has” is not grammatically correct. Additionally, “type, value, and value category” are properties of expressions, not “semantics”.