nor have we

USAGE SUMMARY

'nor have we' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a negative idea in the form of a response to a previous statement. For example: Q: "Have they arrived yet?" A: "No, nor have we."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No, nor have we.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor have we murdered anyone.

The Guardian

Nor have we wholly abandoned them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor have we seen data on this elsewhere.

Harvard University

Nor have we, but we should start forming one.

The Guardian

Nor have we ever imagined them in their altogether.

The New York Times - Travel

That has never happened before, nor have we ever seen three consecutive record-breaking hot years.

The Guardian

Nor have we yet heard from the Cornish nationalists lurking just across the harbour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor have we used the recovery to head off real and growing challenges.

The Washington Post

Nor have we cleared up the chronic illnesses that beset the UK economy.

The Guardian

"No, nor have we found evidence of paupers, for that matter," Knight said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor have we" to concisely agree with a preceding negative statement, maintaining a formal tone. It is especially effective in written communication.

Common error

Avoid using "nor have we" after a positive statement. "Nor" always introduces a negative clause that agrees with a previous negative clause. Instead use "so have we".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor have we" functions as a negative concord or agreement marker. It affirms that what is not true for a previous subject is also not true for the current subject. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor have we" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express agreement with a preceding negative statement. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable expression in written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and science, although it leans toward a more formal register. Alternatives like "neither have we" and "we haven't either" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. The key to using this phrase effectively is to ensure it follows a negative clause and aligns with the intended tone of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither have we

Replaces "nor" with "neither", offering a slightly more common alternative conjunction.

we haven't either

Uses a simpler sentence structure with "either" to indicate agreement with a negative statement.

we also have not

More formal and emphatic, highlighting the lack of action or experience.

nor did we

Shifts the focus to a past action, aligning with a previous statement about something not done.

we haven't done that either

More specific, referring directly to a previously mentioned action or item.

that's not been our experience either

Indicates a lack of a specific experience, aligning with a negative account.

it's also not the case for us

States that a particular situation or condition does not apply to the speaker or group.

the same is true for us

Affirms that a condition or situation applies equally to the speaker or group.

we share the same sentiment

Expresses agreement with a feeling or opinion previously stated.

we're in the same boat

Idiomatic expression indicating that the speaker or group faces the same challenge or difficulty.

FAQs

How do you properly use "nor have we" in a sentence?

"Nor have we" is used to agree with a previous negative statement. For example, if someone says "I haven't seen that movie," you can respond with "No, "nor have we"" to indicate that you haven't seen it either.

What's the difference between "neither have we" and "nor have we"?

"Neither have we" and "nor have we" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Neither" is generally more common in spoken English, while "nor" is considered slightly more formal and often appears in written English. Both are used to express agreement with a negative statement.

Can I use "nor have we" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "nor have we" can start a sentence, but it must follow a negative statement. The structure involves inversion, where the auxiliary verb "have" comes before the subject "we". For example, "I haven't been there, "nor have we"."

What are some alternative phrases to "nor have we"?

Alternatives to "nor have we" include phrases like "neither have we", "we haven't either", or "we also have not". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.