Meaning & use
nor
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Meanings
conjunction
Used after 'neither' or another negative to add a second negative item or clause.
Grammar: When it starts a clause, the subject and verb invert: 'nor did she'.
Patterns
- neither ... nor ...
- nor do I
- nor can she
She neither called nor wrote.
He doesn't like coffee, nor does he like tea.
Neither the manager nor the employees were happy with the decision.
conjunction
Used to introduce a further negative statement after a negative clause.
Grammar: Often follows a negative statement: 'I won't go, nor will I stay.'
Patterns
- nor will I
- nor should you
- nor is it
I have never been to Paris, nor have I been to Rome.
She didn't apologize, nor did she explain.
The plan isn't cheap, nor is it quick.
Common combinations
- neither ... nor
- Neither John nor Mary came to the party.
- nor do I
- I don't like it, and nor do I want to try it.
- nor can we
- We can't afford it, nor can we borrow the money.
- nor should you
- You shouldn't worry, nor should you ignore it.
Synonyms and how they differ
- and not
- Can sometimes replace 'nor' in informal speech, but 'nor' is more formal.
- neither
- Often used with 'nor' together; 'neither' introduces the first negative item.
Opposites
Commonly confused: nor or or? nor or neither?
nor vs or
Used in positive sentences or questions; 'nor' is used after a negative.
nor vs neither
Often paired with 'nor', but 'neither' can also stand alone as a pronoun.
Practice
He doesn't smoke, ______ does he drink.
Choose one answer.
After a negative clause, 'nor' introduces another negative with inversion: 'nor does he drink'. 'Or' would not trigger inversion and would sound wrong here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.