or moreover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "or moreover" is not correct in standard written English.
It is redundant because "moreover" already serves to add information, making "or" unnecessary. Example: "You can choose to study biology; moreover, it offers many career opportunities."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I have to wonder whether punishing a kid like Dharun Ravi after the fact is just; or, moreover, whether it will do anybody any good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chestertonian mannerisms — beginning sentences with "I wish to conclude" or "I should say, therefore" or "Moreover," using the first person plural un-self-consciously ("What we have to ask ourselves... .), making sure that every sentence was crafted like a sword and loaded like a cannon — appeared to have come from some other universe.

The New Yorker

Chestertonian mannerisms — beginning sentences with "I wish to conclude" or "I should say, therefore" or "Moreover," using the first person plural un-self-consciously ("What we have to ask ourselves... .....), making sure that every sentence was crafted like a sword and loaded like a cannon — appeared to have come from some other universe.

The New Yorker

By on it is easy to see that exist (finite or ), moreover, one of them must be finite.

Boundary Value Problems

(Additionally, Furthermore, or Moreover), ITO is an expensive material, and it is unstable in chemical solution and cannot be utilized in a hydrogen-containing environment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The question we would like to answer is, if NP can clearly be premonitory symptom or, moreover, is NP part of the migraine attack?

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Lev Bar-Or moreover, constructed a mathematical model for the DNA damage signal transduction system (Supporting information Figure S4), and verified a relationship of p53 dynamic behavior to intensity of DNA damage [7].

Plosone

To catch the disease from a chicken or duck, moreover, a human being must come into contact with the excretions or secretions of an infected bird.

The Economist

The BBC site is extremely good and I tend to use JournalismNet or sometimes MoreOver for news.

The Guardian - Tech

"Each country or region, moreover, can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs," he wrote.

The Guardian

People already in prison or jail, moreover, he said, are "unlikely to be lured into speaking by a longing for prompt release".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "or moreover" in formal writing. Choose either "or" or "moreover" based on the intended meaning. If you intend to present alternatives, use only "or". If you intend to add information, use only "moreover".

Common error

Do not combine "or" with "moreover". This creates redundancy because "moreover" already functions as an additive conjunction. Using both together makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy and grammatically awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or moreover" attempts to function as a conjunction, aiming to both present an alternative and add additional information. However, this combination is grammatically flawed, as highlighted by Ludwig. "Or" and "moreover" serve distinct functions that cannot be combined in this way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, Ludwig flags the phrase "or moreover" as grammatically incorrect. While some examples exist across different source types, the phrase creates redundancy. "Or" is used to present alternatives, while "moreover" is used to add information. Using them together is awkward and unnecessary. For clarity and precision, choose either "or" or "moreover" depending on the intended meaning or use alternatives. Prioritize clear and concise communication over grammatically questionable constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or furthermore

Changes "moreover" to "furthermore", a synonym that also adds information but can be more formal.

or additionally

Replaces "moreover" with "additionally", offering a slightly less formal way to add information.

or also

Substitutes "moreover" with "also", providing a simpler way to include an additional point.

or in addition

Uses "in addition" instead of "moreover", making the connection more explicit.

or besides

Replaces "moreover" with "besides", suggesting an additional reason or point.

or too

Employs "too" as a concise way to add an idea, suitable for informal contexts.

or for that matter

Introduces a related but slightly different perspective or consideration.

or what's more

Offers a more emphatic way to add information, indicating something even more important.

or on top of that

Suggests adding something extra to what has already been mentioned.

or to boot

Uses a less common and more colloquial way to add something unexpected or extra.

FAQs

Why is "or moreover" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "or moreover" is redundant. "Or" indicates a choice between alternatives, while "moreover" introduces additional information. Using both together creates a nonsensical construction. Consider using "or furthermore" or "or additionally" instead.

What can I use instead of "or moreover" to add information?

If you intend to add information, use "moreover" on its own. Alternatives to "moreover" include "furthermore", "additionally", and "in addition".

Is "or moreover" ever appropriate in writing?

While you might find it in some informal contexts, "or moreover" is generally discouraged in formal writing. It is considered grammatically awkward and adds unnecessary words. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives.

How does "or moreover" differ from simply using "or"?

"Or" presents a choice between two or more options. "Moreover", on the other hand, introduces a new piece of information that supports or expands on a previous statement. "Or moreover" attempts to combine these functions illogically. If you want to provide a choice you can use only the word "or", if you want to add information use only the word "moreover".