nor they have

USAGE SUMMARY

'nor they have' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used in the middle of a sentence in a negative statement that is connected to a previous statement. For example, "They haven't seen the new movie yet, nor they have heard about it from their friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Neither he nor they have complied.

The New York Times

"Neither the Health Department nor they have indicated to me that there's an urgent situation there".

The New York Times

The robots cannot communicate or perceive information about the environment in any way other than by bouncing nor they have control over their walks which are determined by their initial positions and their starting directions.

Information and Computation

Typically, users do not read each tweet immediately when it is generated, nor they have an infinite attention span that would allow them to consider all tweets in their inbox [31].

Computational Social Networks

He recommended to some of his investors that they turn their money over to the smallish Wall Street firm Ruane, Cuniff & Co. and its Sequoia Fund — a recommendation that neither he nor they have reason to regret.

Forbes

Instead, we should go with others to a place neither we nor they have been before.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Nor do they have to.

The New York Times

Nor did they have a ribbon.

The New Yorker

Nor should they have to.

Harvard Business Review

Nor did they have much incentive.

The Washington Post

Nor have they have persuasively justified the yawning racial disparities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor they have" to connect two negative statements, ensuring that the second statement logically follows the first. For example, "They didn't complete the project, nor they have plans to finish it soon."

Common error

Avoid using "nor they have" to connect a negative statement to a preceding positive one. "Nor" should only be used after a negative clause. For example, avoid saying, "They completed the project, nor they have received any recognition." Instead, use "and" or another appropriate conjunction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor they have" serves as a negative conjunction, connecting two negative statements. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used in the middle of a sentence to link a negative statement to a prior statement, indicating a similar lack or absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor they have" is a phrase used to connect two negative statements, indicating that both conditions are absent or untrue. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English, mainly in news, science, and wiki contexts. It's important to use it correctly after a negative clause, avoiding its misuse after positive statements. While the phrase may not be extremely common, alternatives like "neither do they have" and "nor have they" can be employed for slight variations in tone or emphasis. Always ensure the second statement logically follows the first when using this conjunction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither do they have

Replaces "nor" with "neither", providing a slightly more formal tone but maintaining the same negative concord.

nor have they

Inverts the subject and auxiliary verb, creating a slightly more emphatic tone while preserving the core meaning.

they also do not have

Uses a more explicit and less concise structure to convey the same negative meaning.

they don't have either

Employs "either" at the end of the clause for a more informal and conversational tone.

nor is it that they have

Introduces "is it that", which slightly alters the focus to emphasize the lack of possession or experience.

they have not

Uses simpler phrasing to express negation, reducing complexity compared to the original phrase.

they lack

Focuses on the absence of something, emphasizing deficiency more directly.

they possess no

Highlights the complete absence of something, providing a stronger sense of negation.

they do not have

Directly states the absence without any connecting conjunction.

nor are they in possession of

Introduces "in possession of", which is more formal but changes the wording compared to the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "nor they have" in a sentence?

Use "nor they have" to connect two negative statements. The second statement introduced by "nor" should logically follow the first. For instance, "They haven't finished the report, nor they have started gathering data."

What's a more formal alternative to "nor they have"?

A more formal alternative is "neither do they have". It maintains the same negative concord but offers a slightly more elevated tone. For example, "They do not have the required skills, neither do they have the necessary experience."

Is it ever correct to say "nor have they" instead of "nor they have"?

Yes, inverting the subject and auxiliary verb to say "nor have they" is grammatically correct. This inversion often adds a touch of emphasis. For example, "They didn't submit their application, nor have they contacted the office."

Can "nor they have" be used after a positive statement?

No, "nor they have" is exclusively used to connect two negative statements. It should not follow a positive statement. Using "and" or another appropriate conjunction is better in such situations.