nor do they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'nor do they' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate that a negative statement is applicable to a second group in addition to the first group. For example: "Many students have difficulty finishing their homework on time; nor do they understand the material they are learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor do they intimidate him.

The New York Times

Nor do they pretend to.

The Economist

Nor do they guarantee survival.

The Economist

Nor do they alternate.

The New Yorker

Nor do they come along very often.

Independent

Nor do they rely on footwork.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor do they offer emotional experiences.

The Economist

Nor do they look especially costly.

The Economist

Nor do they apply to ordinary objects.

The New Yorker

Nor do they deserve to be.

The New York Times

Nor do they reveal a disturbed mind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor do they" to connect two negative statements, enhancing sentence flow and avoiding repetition. For example: "They didn't finish the project, "nor do they" seem concerned about the deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "nor do they" after affirmative statements. It is designed to follow negative clauses, not positive ones. Incorrect: "They completed the task, nor do they expect praise." Correct: "They didn't complete the task, "nor do they" expect praise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor do they" functions as a negative coordinating conjunction. It connects two independent clauses, where the second clause expresses a negative statement that parallels or extends the negative idea presented in the first clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor do they" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for connecting two negative statements. As Ludwig AI notes, its function is to extend a negative condition from one subject to another, thereby emphasizing the absence or negation across multiple instances. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral to formal registers, but is primarily encountered in News & Media and Academic contexts. Remember, its correct usage hinges on following a negative clause, a point often missed. Alternatives such as "neither do they" or "they also do not" offer similar meanings for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither do they

Uses "neither" instead of "nor", providing a direct synonym with almost identical meaning.

they also do not

Rephrases the sentence to use "also not" instead of "nor", changing the word order slightly.

they don't either

Uses the colloquial "either" to indicate a similar negative condition.

they likewise do not

Employs "likewise" for a more formal tone while conveying the same meaning.

similarly, they do not

Starts the sentence with "similarly" for emphasis on the parallel negative state.

nor is it the case that they

Introduces a more formal and emphatic way of stating the negative condition.

it is also not the case that they

Expresses the negative condition in a more verbose and formal manner.

they, in turn, do not

Adds "in turn" to emphasize a sequence or consequence in the negative condition.

on the contrary, they do not

Uses "on the contrary" to highlight a contrast while maintaining the negative statement.

conversely, they do not

Introduces "conversely" to indicate an opposite or contrasting situation.

FAQs

How can I use "nor do they" in a sentence?

"Nor do they" is used to add another negative statement to a previous negative one. For example: "They didn't like the movie, "nor did they" appreciate the acting".

What's a common mistake when using "nor do they"?

A frequent error is using "nor do they" after a positive statement. It should only follow a negative clause. Incorrect: "They enjoyed the concert, nor do they want to leave early." Correct: "They didn't enjoy the concert, "nor do they" want to leave early".

What can I say instead of "nor do they"?

Alternatives include "neither do they", "they also do not", or "they don't either", depending on the desired tone and context.

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

While both are used to introduce a second negative statement, "neither" is often preferred when the initial statement also uses "neither" or "either". Otherwise, "nor" is generally acceptable and more common. The meanings are virtually identical though.