neither was there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither was there" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something was not present or did not occur, often in a negative context. Example: "Neither was there any sign of life in the abandoned house." Alternative expressions include "nor was there" and "there was not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But neither was there much wild enthusiasm.

The New York Times

But neither was there anything benign about it.

The New York Times - Books

But neither was there much coming out of University Avenue.

The New York Times

Neither was there a climate to start new networks.

The New York Times

Neither was there a sign her apartment was broken into.

The New York Times

Neither was there any evidence of association between common TRPM6 and TRPM7 haplotypes and diabetes risk.

Harvard University

Neither was there any difference in macronutrient intake or meal frequency between trials.

Appetite

Neither was there any association with the iPost procedure used in the POSTEMI study19.

Nature

Neither was there any equivocation in his love for her, as far as it went.

The New Yorker

Neither was there a prohibition on newspaper reporting of political statements by the Government's adversaries.

The New York Times

Neither was there, but Romney left handwritten messages urging them to finish their job.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the auxiliary verb (was) comes before the subject (there) to correctly form the required negative inversion.

Common error

Avoid using a standard subject-verb order like 'neither there was' when starting a clause with 'neither'. In English, phrases beginning with negative adverbs require the verb to precede the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither was there" functions as a negative coordinator that utilizes negative inversion. In this structure, the negative adverb 'neither' triggers the auxiliary verb 'was' to move before the existential subject 'there'. According to Ludwig AI, this is a standard rhetorical device used to add a second negative point to an existing negative context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "neither was there" is a highly effective and grammatically sophisticated phrase used to link negative statements. As shown in the extensive data from Ludwig, it is a staple of high-quality journalism and academic research, appearing frequently in sources like The New York Times and Nature. Its use of negative inversion—placing the verb before the subject—adds a layer of formal emphasis that simple negation lacks. Whether you are describing the lack of evidence in a scientific trial or the absence of enthusiasm in a political report, this phrase ensures your writing remains cohesive and stylistically elevated. For a slightly less formal but equally correct alternative, you might consider "nor was there", though "neither was there" remains a primary choice for writers seeking precision and rhetorical weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nor was there

Uses the coordinating conjunction 'nor' which is often more common in modern sequences following 'neither'.

there was no

A more direct, non-inverted statement that lacks the comparative link to a previous negative.

there wasn't any

A standard negative construction using a contraction, making it less formal.

and there was no

Adds a simple conjunction without the formal weight of negative inversion.

neither existed

Replaces the existential 'there was' with a more specific verb for presence.

neither could there be

Introduces a modal verb expressing impossibility rather than a simple statement of fact.

neither did there exist

A more emphatic and formal version of the inverted existential clause.

no such thing was

Focuses more on the absence of a specific 'thing' rather than the general existence.

not even a

Provides more emphasis on the total absence of something, often used for dramatic effect.

not a sign of

Focuses on the lack of evidence or indicators for something.

FAQs

Which is more correct: "neither was there" or "nor was there"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they serve slightly different purposes. Use "neither was there" as an independent negative addition or as part of a 'neither... nor' sequence. If you have already used 'neither' earlier in the sentence, "nor was there" is the standard choice for the second clause.

Can I use "neither was there" to start a sentence?

Yes, it is very common to start a sentence with "neither was there" to link it back to a negative statement in the preceding sentence. For example: 'The room was not clean. "Neither was there" any light.'.

Is "neither was there" considered formal English?

It is definitely more formal than saying "there wasn't" or "there was also no". It is frequently found in high-quality journalism and scientific research papers.

How do I punctuate a sentence containing "neither was there"?

When it joins two independent clauses, it is often preceded by a semicolon or a full stop. If it is part of a list, a comma may suffice. For example: 'No harm was done, but "neither was there" any positive effect.'.