nor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "nor" in a sentence to indicate that a negative statement applies to two or more things. For example: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it.

The Economist

Nor did Andrew.

The New York Times

Nor is that all.

The Economist

Although there was disappointment that neither Mike Leigh's much-fancied Topsy-Turvy, Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr Ripley, nor Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair made it into the frame for best picture, the Brits did well overall.

The Guardian - Film

Nor have I come across a clear explanation of exactly how the program could be put to such a purpose.

The Economist

Nor did they have enough balls: Fifa had supplied 25 of the new Tango España balls to each participating nation but none of the ones allocated to El Salvador made it as far as the players, who had to ask Hungary to lend them a couple so they could practise before their first match.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor did any of our colleagues with whom I have spoken.

The Guardian

So while it's certain that the problems haven't really changed, nor have the solutions if either of these flagship announcements are anything to go by.

The Guardian

Nor will be successful by listening to those who suggest we can hide away from the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Explora is one of them, a luxury hotel that prefers to use neither the word luxury nor hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

Hence neither the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, nor Romania's Victor Ponta are right to accuse Brussels of euro-colonialism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the elements connected by "nor" are grammatically parallel. For example, "He didn't call, nor did he write."

Common error

Avoid using "nor" after positive statements. "Nor" is meant to continue a negative idea; using it otherwise creates grammatical errors. For example, instead of 'He likes dogs, nor cats' use 'He likes dogs, but not cats'.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "nor" is as a conjunction, connecting two or more negative elements. It often appears after "neither" to link related negative statements, as Ludwig AI confirms and exemplifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor" is a versatile conjunction primarily used to connect negative statements, most often following "neither" or a negative clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and high frequency, especially in news and media, make it an essential component of effective writing. Pay close attention to grammatical parallelism and context to avoid common errors, and leverage its power to create nuanced and emphatic negative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and neither

Replaces "nor" to introduce a negative statement that agrees with a previous negative statement.

neither

Functions similarly to "nor", often used in correlative constructions.

not either

Presents a negative alternative in a more direct manner.

also not

Indicates an additional negative condition or element.

and also not

A more emphatic way of expressing an additional negative.

in addition not

Formally introduces an additional negative consideration.

similarly not

Highlights the similar absence or negation of something.

likewise not

Indicates that what follows is negative and aligns with what precedes it.

not in any way

Emphasizes the complete absence or negation of something.

and by no means

Expresses a strong negative addition, underscoring the lack of something.

FAQs

How do I use "nor" in a sentence?

"Nor" is typically used after a negative marker like "neither" or "not" to introduce a further negative statement. For example: "I don't like coffee, "nor do I like tea"."

What can I say instead of "nor"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "and neither", "not either", or rephrase the sentence to avoid using "nor" altogether.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "nor"?

Starting a sentence with "nor" is grammatically correct, especially when it follows a negative statement in the previous sentence. For example, "I didn't go to the store. "Nor did I visit the park"."

What's the difference between "nor" and "or"?

"Or" is used to present alternatives, while "nor" is used to continue a negative statement or present negative alternatives after a negative marker. For example, "Do you want tea or coffee?" (alternatives) versus "I don't want tea, "nor do I want coffee"" (negative alternatives).