Neither nor

USAGE SUMMARY

"Neither nor" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to identify two singular objects, each being the negative response to the same question or statement. Example sentence: "We have neither a beach nor a swimming pool at our house."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

However, neither NOR nor BALB/c T cells induce cFLIPp43 expression or proliferate in response to CD40 engagement.

Plosone

We found that neither NOR or MYBBP1A overlapped with the DAPI-dense blocks.

BMC Genomics

Albeit high yellow, neither nor".

The New York Times

"The ni-ni vote (neither nor) is not the solution to the UMP's problems," Valls added.

The Guardian

The DPJ has neither, nor has it had any success in persuading the smaller opposition parties to vote with it.

The Economist

"What a piece of work is a man … [yet] man delights not me, no, nor women neither, nor women neither".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's a neither-nor form I happen to like — probably the Caribbean in me.

The New Yorker

In a neither-nor or either-or construction, the verb agrees with the closest part of the subject.

The New York Times

As long as these series were best-of-five, there was a feeling of limbo, a neither-nor proposition that left the winners relieved and the losers stunned.

The New York Times - Sports

They had a kind of neither-nor identity, denied both the solidarity of other students of color and the social standing of white people.

The New York Times

Sørensen's fiction manifests in artistic form the theories of his philosophical writings, Digtere og daemoner (1959; "Poets and Demons") and Hverken-eller (1961; "Neither-Nor").

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither nor", ensure that the grammatical structure following each word is parallel to maintain clarity. For example: "Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the couch."

Common error

A common mistake is using a plural verb after "neither nor" when referring to two singular nouns. Remember to use a singular verb when both subjects are singular: "Neither John nor Mary is available."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither nor" functions as a correlative conjunction, connecting two or more grammatically parallel elements to indicate that none of them are true or applicable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neither nor" is a valid and frequently used correlative conjunction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to negate two options, indicating that both are untrue or inapplicable. Grammatically, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement, especially with singular subjects. Common usage is found in science, news, and encyclopedic sources, and it is characterized by a neutral register. Remember to maintain parallel structure when using "neither nor" to ensure clarity. For alternative expressions, you can consider phrases such as "not either... or" or "not one nor the other".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not either... or

Emphasizes the negation of both options individually, whereas "neither nor" presents them as a single negated unit.

not one nor the other

This phrase explicitly denies both options, providing a clearer sense of exclusion compared to "neither nor".

not this and not that

Directly negates each option separately, differing from the combined negation of "neither nor".

in no way either... or

Adds emphasis to the negation, strengthening the rejection of both options. This is a more emphatic alternative to "neither nor".

absolutely not either... or

Offers an even stronger negation, explicitly denying both possibilities. It emphasizes the impossibility of either option being true, going beyond the basic negation of "neither nor".

on no account either... or

Implies a prohibition or strong disapproval, making it a more formal and forceful alternative. This expression carries a stronger sense of warning compared to "neither nor".

by no means either... or

Denies the possibility of either option, expressing a strong rejection. This alternative offers a definitive and forceful negation in contrast to "neither nor".

far from being either... or

Indicates a situation that is the opposite of the stated options, adding a sense of contrast. It expresses that the reality is quite different from both possibilities presented in "neither nor".

excluding both... and

Explicitly excludes both options, clarifying that neither is applicable. It provides a clear and unambiguous rejection of both possibilities unlike the more subtle negation of "neither nor".

devoid of both... and

Highlights the absence of both options, emphasizing a lack or deficiency. This expression stresses the absence of both possibilities in a certain situation, going beyond the simple negation of "neither nor".

FAQs

How to use "neither nor" in a sentence?

Use "neither nor" to indicate that two options are not true or possible. For example, "He has "neither the time" "nor the inclination" to help."

What can I say instead of "neither nor"?

Alternatives include "not either...or" or "not one nor the other" depending on the desired emphasis and context.

Which is correct, "neither nor is" or "neither nor are"?

When the subjects connected by "neither nor" are singular, use "is". When at least one subject is plural, it's generally better to rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "Neither the students nor the teacher are ready", consider "The students and the teacher are not ready".

What's the difference between "neither nor" and "either or"?

"Neither nor" is used to negate both options, while "either or" presents a choice between two options. "Neither nor" implies that neither of the stated options is true or possible, whereas "either or" indicates that one of the options is true or possible, but not both.