neither were they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither were they" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that two or more subjects are not included in a statement or situation being discussed. Example: "Neither were they prepared for the challenges ahead, nor did they anticipate the difficulties they would face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But neither were they just conservative Christians.

The New Yorker

The early books weren't bad, but neither were they memorable.

The New York Times - Magazine

No one was particularly happy, but neither were they anxious.

The New Yorker

Its discussions were rarely spectacular but neither were they about point scoring and obfuscation.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wasn't going to compromise, but neither were they," she said.

The Guardian

The characters were not dropouts or rebels, but neither were they high-flyers or industry trailblazers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

But neither are they impersonal.

The New York Times - Arts

But neither are they vulgar.

The New York Times

But neither are they being completely realistic.

The New York Times

But neither are they right; nor are they permissible.

The New York Times

But neither are they stuck in the 19th century.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "nor were they" or "they weren't either" for stylistic variation and to avoid repetition, maintaining clarity and engagement in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "neither were they" if the previous statement does not establish a negative context. Ensure that the phrase logically follows from a prior negative assertion to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither were they" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it connects two clauses, indicating that a negative statement also applies to an additional subject. This usage extends a previously established negative condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither were they" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction that functions to extend a negative statement to include additional subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that its role is to connect clauses, indicating a shared negative condition. While alternatives like "nor were they" exist, "neither were they" maintains a neutral register and is appropriate for various writing contexts, especially news and media. It's crucial to ensure the phrase follows a negative clause to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nor were they

A more formal alternative with identical meaning.

they weren't either

A more informal way of expressing the same idea.

they also were not

A more direct and less idiomatic alternative.

they weren't as well

Emphasizes addition to a previous negative statement.

they didn't either

Uses 'didn't' instead of 'weren't', changing the tense slightly depending on context.

they too were not

Highlights that another group or entity shares the same negative characteristic.

they also did not

Similar to 'they also were not', but uses 'did not'.

also they were not

Inverts the word order for slight emphasis.

they were not, likewise

Adds a formal connector to show the similarity of exclusion.

similarly, they were not

Starts with an adverb emphasizing the shared negative condition.

FAQs

How do I use "neither were they" correctly in a sentence?

Use "neither were they" to add another subject or group to a previously stated negative condition. For example, "They didn't enjoy the movie, and "neither were they" impressed with the special effects".

What phrases can I use instead of "neither were they"?

Alternatives include "nor were they", "they weren't either", or "they also were not", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "neither were they" and "nor were they"?

While both are grammatically correct and express the same meaning, "nor were they" is often considered more formal than "neither were they".

Can "neither were they" be used in positive statements?

No, "neither were they" is specifically used to extend a negative condition to include additional subjects. It would be grammatically incorrect to use it in a positive context.