nor were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nor were" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that two or more people, things, or facts experienced or were the same thing. For example, "The chairs were not comfortable, nor were the couches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nor were they inflexible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And nor were we.

The New York Times

Nor were fund managers.

The New York Times

Nor were our cookbooks.

The New Yorker

Nor were catchers alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor were these anomalies.

The Washington Post

Nor were their endeavors.

The New York Times - Books

Nor were they alone.

The Times

Nor were they omnivorous.

The New York Times

Nor were the kitchens.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nor were all analysts negative.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nor were" to connect two negative statements, ensuring grammatical parallelism between the clauses. For instance, "The instructions were not clear, nor were they helpful."

Common error

Avoid using "nor were" in affirmative sentences. "Nor were" is strictly for connecting negative clauses. Using it otherwise will result in grammatical errors and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nor were" functions as a conjunction used to introduce a clause that contains a negative statement, mirroring a preceding negative statement. Ludwig's examples show it connecting similar negative assertions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nor were" is a grammatically sound conjunction used to connect two negative statements. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across varied sources, from news media to academic writing, confirming its place in standard English. Remember to use it strictly to link negative clauses and maintain parallelism for clarity. Alternatives like "neither were" offer similar meanings, but "nor were" adds a slightly more formal tone. Use "nor were" wisely to build well-structured arguments and to reinforce similar negative assertions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither were

This is the most direct synonym, simply replacing 'nor' with 'neither'.

also not

This is a more straightforward way of expressing the same negation.

they weren't either

This alternative emphasizes the 'they' and adds 'either' for similar negation.

it wasn't either

This alternative uses the pronoun 'it' to refer to something that is also not the case.

nor did they

This construction shifts to using 'did' for the verb, changing the structure but retaining similar meaning.

they also did not

This option directly states a negative action or state with 'also' indicating addition.

similarly, they were not

Adds 'similarly' to explicitly connect the second negative statement to the first.

in the same vein, they were not

Introduces the second negative statement as being in the same line of thought.

likewise, they did not

Replaces 'nor' with 'likewise', indicating a similar situation.

furthermore, they weren't

Uses 'furthermore' to add another negative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "nor were" in a sentence?

Use "nor were" to connect two negative statements about similar subjects. For example: "The students didn't complete the assignment, "nor were" they prepared for the quiz."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "nor were"?

Alternatives include "neither were", also not, and they weren't either. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "nor was" instead of "nor were"?

Yes, the choice between "nor was" and "nor were" depends on the subject's singularity or plurality. Use "nor was" with singular subjects (e.g., "The book wasn't available, "nor was" the author.") and "nor were" with plural subjects (e.g., "The tickets weren't cheap, "nor were" the seats good.").

Can I start a sentence with "nor were"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "nor" is grammatically acceptable, especially for emphasis or stylistic effect, but ensure it follows a negative statement. For example: "They didn't finish the project. "Nor were" they planning to."