Nor was I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Nor was I" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement with a negative statement or to introduce a contrasting idea in a formal context. Example: "I did not enjoy the movie, nor was I impressed by the acting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor was I in some vacation rental.

The New York Times

Nor was I ever enrolled there.

The New Yorker

Nor was I, I promise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor was I being lazy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor was I a great guitarist.

The Guardian - Music

Nor was I expecting a fight.

The Guardian - Arts

Nor was I the only one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor was I envious that they were more tornado-proof.

The New Yorker

Nor was I inclined to like the magazine.

The New York Times

Nor was I about to get to know her now.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nor was I driving under the influence of liquor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Nor was I" to formally agree with a negative statement, ensuring it directly follows a clause that includes a negative element (e.g., "I wasn't happy, nor was I surprised").

Common error

Avoid using "Nor was I" immediately after a positive statement, as it's designed to agree with a negative one. Instead, use "Neither was I" or rephrase to maintain logical flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Nor was I" serves as a negative concord or agreement marker. It connects to a previous negative statement, indicating that the speaker shares the same condition or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in contexts where a previous negative statement has been made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Nor was I" is a phrase used to express agreement with a preceding negative statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, predominantly News & Media. While it can be replaced with more informal options like "I wasn't either", "Nor was I" maintains a formal or neutral tone. When using it, ensure it directly follows a negative clause for grammatical accuracy. Mastering the use of "Nor was I" enhances clarity and precision in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Neither was I

Direct synonym, using "neither" instead of "nor" for the same grammatical function.

I wasn't either

More informal phrasing expressing the same agreement with a negative statement.

I also wasn't

Rephrasing to emphasize the addition of a similar negative state.

I, too, was not

More formal and emphatic way of expressing agreement with a negative statement.

Nor did I

Similar structure when the preceding statement involves an action, using "did" to match verb tense.

I wasn't in addition

Emphasizes the additional nature of the negative state.

Similarly, I wasn't

Highlights the similarity between the previous statement and the speaker's state.

Likewise, I was not

Formal way of indicating agreement or similarity in a negative sense.

I wasn't that either

Indicates that the speaker doesn't align with a previously mentioned quality or state.

Also, I was not

Simple and direct way of adding a similar negative point.

FAQs

How do you properly use "Nor was I" in a sentence?

"Nor was I" is used to agree with a preceding negative statement. For example, "I didn't enjoy the movie, "nor was I" impressed by the acting."

What's a more informal alternative to "Nor was I"?

A more informal alternative to "Nor was I" is "I wasn't either". It conveys the same meaning but is suitable for casual conversation.

Is there a difference between "Nor was I" and "Neither was I"?

While both "Nor was I" and "Neither was I" express agreement with a negative statement, "nor" is often considered more formal than "neither". They are largely interchangeable.

When should I use "Nor did I" instead of "Nor was I"?

Use "Nor did I" when the preceding negative statement involves an action (a verb). For example, "I didn't go to the party, "nor did I" want to". Use "Nor was I" when the preceding statement describes a state of being.