nor is it

USAGE SUMMARY

'nor is it' is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it as a way to connect two contrasting statements, or to deny an earlier statement. For example: "I don't like chocolate ice cream, nor is it my favorite flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is it defeatist.

The New Yorker

Nor is it cheap.

The Economist

"Nor is it organized".

The New York Times

Nor is it good.

The New York Times

Nor is it unique.

The Economist

Nor is it adjudication.

Cornell University

Nor is it necessary.

Cornell University

Nor is it paternalistic.

Harvard University

Nor is it fail-safe.

The New York Times - Science

Nor is it a failure.

The New York Times

Nor is it genetically inevitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using alternatives like "neither is it" or "it isn't either" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "nor is it" after a positive statement. "Nor" is a coordinating conjunction that connects two negative ideas. For example, instead of saying "I like coffee, nor is it my favorite drink," say "I don't like tea, nor is coffee my favorite drink."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor is it" functions as a coordinating conjunction to introduce a negative clause that agrees with a preceding negative statement. It serves to extend or reinforce a negation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor is it" is a versatile phrase used to connect two negative statements, indicating that both are untrue or do not apply. According to Ludwig, this conjunction phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media and Academic contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. To enhance writing, remember to use "nor is it" only after a negative statement and consider alternatives like "neither is it" for variety. Avoid misusing it after positive assertions to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither is it

Replaces "nor" with its synonym "neither", maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

it isn't either

Rearranges the sentence structure to place the negative element at the end.

it's not either

Uses a contraction for "it is not", making it slightly more informal.

also, it is not

Breaks the connection into two sentences, using "also" to link the ideas.

similarly, it isn't

Uses "similarly" to introduce a parallel negative statement.

likewise, it is not

Employs "likewise" to indicate a similar situation or condition.

in the same vein, it isn't

Introduces a parallel negative thought with "in the same vein".

similarly, that's not the case

Uses "similarly" to show a negative parallel, but with a different sentence structure.

it's not the case either

Emphasizes that something is not the case, similar to the original phrase.

on the other hand, it's not

Introduces a contrasting negative point using "on the other hand".

FAQs

How do you properly use "nor is it" in a sentence?

"Nor is it" is used to introduce a negative clause that follows another negative clause. For example, "I don't like rain, "nor is it" good for my garden."

What's the difference between "nor is it" and "neither is it"?

Both "nor is it" and "neither is it" serve the same function of adding a negative statement that agrees with a previous one. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation. "Neither" can sometimes be used to start a sentence, whereas "nor" cannot.

Can I use "nor is it" after a positive statement?

No, "nor is it" should only be used after a negative statement. It connects two negative ideas. Using it after a positive statement creates a grammatical error. Use phrases like "and it is not" or "also, it is not" instead.

What are some alternatives to "nor is it" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives include phrases like "it isn't either", "neither is it", or "and it is not", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.