nor is

USAGE SUMMARY

"nor is" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to provide a negative contrast to a previously stated idea or assertion; for example, "I don't like pineapple pizza, nor is it very popular among my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is chaos.

Independent

(Nor is love).

The New Yorker

Nor is it defeatist.

The New Yorker

Nor is war.

The Economist

Nor is the dog.

The New York Times

Nor is intentional contact.

The New Yorker

Nor is Britain unique.

The New York Times

Nor is America alone.

The Economist

Nor is Clark.

The New York Times

Nor is America.

The Economist

Nor is he surprised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor is" to connect two negative statements, ensuring that the subject after "nor" inverts with the verb. This construction is particularly effective in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "nor is" without inverting the subject and verb. For example, instead of "He is not happy, nor he is content", write "He is not happy, nor is he content".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nor is" is to act as a coordinating conjunction introducing a negative clause that parallels a preceding negative statement. It connects two negative statements, indicating that the second statement is also not true, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nor is" is a common conjunction used to connect two negative statements, indicating that both are untrue. It is considered grammatically correct and is most frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. While alternatives like "neither is" exist, "nor is" often lends a more formal tone. Remember to invert the subject and verb after "nor" to maintain correct grammatical structure. Ludwig confirms that this phrase serves to express a negative correspondence and functions as a coordinating conjunction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither is

Emphasizes the negative correspondence more directly, often used for clarity.

it isn't either

Offers a more informal way to indicate a negative correspondence.

that's not the case either

Expresses the negative correspondence in a more explicit and explanatory manner.

similarly, it isn't

Highlights the parallel between the initial statement and its negative counterpart.

it's also not

Focuses on the addition of another negative aspect or characteristic.

that doesn't apply either

Suggests the irrelevance or inapplicability of something else.

it too is not

Formally highlights that something else is not something.

likewise, it isn't

Underscores the equivalence between two negative situations.

by the same token, it isn't

Emphasizes the equal treatment of another entity in a negative context.

in the same vein, it isn't

Signifies that another statement is negative within the context of the previous statement.

FAQs

How do I properly use "nor is" in a sentence?

Use "nor is" to introduce a second negative statement that corresponds to the first. Remember to invert the subject and verb after "nor". For example, "She doesn't like coffee, "nor does he"".

What are some common alternatives to "nor is"?

Alternatives include "neither is", "it isn't either", or rephrasing the sentence to use "and" with a negative. For example, instead of "He isn't going, nor is she", you could say "He and she aren't going".

Is it more formal to use "nor is" or "neither is"?

"Nor is" tends to be slightly more formal than "neither is". Both are grammatically correct, but "nor is" can lend a more sophisticated tone to your writing. Consider the context to decide whether "neither is" is more appropriate.

When should I avoid using "nor is"?

Avoid using "nor is" in very informal contexts, where it might sound overly stilted. In casual conversation, simpler constructions like "and... either" or "and... too" might be more natural.