nor am I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'nor am I' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to add an additional item in a negative statement. For example, "I don't like anchovies, nor am I keen on olives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(This is life "nor am I out of it").

The New Yorker

Frankly nor am I".

Independent

Nor am I alone.

The New York Times - Books

Nor am I exaggerating.

The Guardian - Arts

Nor am I".

The New York Times - Arts

Nor am I complaining.

The Guardian

Nor am I feeling it.

The New York Times

Nor am I thin exactly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor am I a hypochondriac.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor am I suggesting you skip class.

The Economist

Nor am I running for office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor am I" to concisely express agreement with a negative statement, maintaining a formal tone. For example, "I haven't been to Rome, nor am I planning to go anytime soon."

Common error

Avoid using "nor am I" after a positive statement. "Nor" is used to introduce a second negative clause. Using "nor am I" in this scenario will result in a grammatically incorrect sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor am I" serves as a conjunctional phrase used for negative concord. It is employed to express agreement with a preceding negative statement, indicating that the speaker or writer shares the same negative attribute or condition. According to Ludwig, it adds an additional item in a negative statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor am I" is a useful phrase for expressing agreement with a negative statement. According to Ludwig, it functions to add an additional item in a negative statement. While grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media, it's important to use "nor am I" only after negative clauses. It conveys a formal tone. Common alternatives include "neither am I" and "I'm not either", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis. Overall, mastering the use of "nor am I" enhances your ability to express nuanced agreement in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Neither am I

A slightly more emphatic way of expressing the same sentiment, using "neither" for a stronger negation.

I'm not either

Uses a more common and informal contraction, reversing the sentence structure for a less formal tone.

I also am not

Changes the structure to a direct statement of negation with "also", altering the emphasis slightly.

Me neither

A very informal and concise way to express agreement with a negative statement.

Likewise

Offers a concise agreement, suitable for situations where brevity is preferred.

Same here

An informal way of expressing agreement.

The same goes for me

Expresses that the previous statement is also true for the speaker.

I concur

Shifts to a more formal expression of agreement, suitable for professional contexts.

That applies to me as well

Rephrases the agreement to highlight personal relevance or experience.

I feel the same way

Shifts the focus to shared sentiment or opinion rather than direct agreement.

FAQs

How do you use "nor am I" in a sentence?

"Nor am I" is used to agree with a negative statement. It typically follows a clause containing "not", "never", or another negative word. For example: "I don't like coffee, "nor am I" a fan of tea."

What's the difference between "neither am I" and "nor am I"?

While both phrases express agreement with a negative statement, "neither am I" is more common and can be used more broadly. "Nor am I" often follows a clause that begins with "neither" or contains another negative element. They are largely interchangeable, but "neither am I" might sound more natural in some contexts.

Can I use "nor am I" after a positive statement?

No, "nor am I" should only be used after a negative statement. It's used to introduce a second negative clause that you also agree with. For example, "I am not going, "nor am I" inviting anyone else."

What are some alternatives to saying "nor am I"?

Alternatives to "nor am I" include "neither am I", "I'm not either", "me neither", or "I also am not", depending on the level of formality and context.