Definition

Conjunction: - Used to introduce a negative clause after "neither" or a negative statement: "nor" connects two or more negative alternatives, indicating that none of the options are true or applicable. It typically follows "neither" or another negative expression. - He can neither read nor write. (He cannot read, and he cannot write.) - Used to continue a negative statement: "nor" can introduce an additional negative element in a series, often after a comma or semicolon, without repeating "neither." - She doesn't like coffee, nor does she enjoy tea. (She dislikes coffee, and she also dislikes tea.)

Usage Examples

• After "neither":
  • The weather was neither hot nor cold. (The temperature was not hot, and it was not cold.)
  • I have neither the time nor the money for a vacation. (I lack both time and money.)
• Continuing a negative statement:
  • He cannot do it, nor can I, nor can you, nor can anybody. (He is unable; I, you, and everyone else are also unable.)
  • She didn't call, nor did she send a message. (She did not call, and she also did not send a message.)
• In formal or literary contexts:
  • The proposal was rejected, nor was any alternative offered. (The proposal was rejected, and no alternative was given.)

Advanced Usage

• "Nor" without "neither" (formal): "nor" can begin a clause that adds a negative point, often after a negative statement.
  • He never arrived, nor did he explain his absence. (He never came, and he also did not explain why.)
• "Nor" in parallel structures: "nor" is used to link two or more negative elements of the same grammatical type (e.g., verbs, nouns, adjectives).
  • She speaks neither French nor Spanish. (She does not speak French, and she does not speak Spanish.)
• "Nor" with multiple elements: "nor" can be repeated before each additional negative item in a list.
  • The project has no funding, nor staff, nor equipment. (The project lacks funding, staff, and equipment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Neither...nor (conjunction pair): a fixed structure for negating two or more items.
  • Neither the manager nor the employees were informed. (Both the manager and the employees were not informed.)
• Nor yet (phrase, formal): used to add a further negative point, meaning "and also not."
  • He is not a scholar, nor yet a writer. (He is not a scholar, and he is also not a writer.)

Synonyms

• And not: a simple equivalent in informal English.
  • She doesn't eat meat, and not fish either. (Equivalent to: She doesn't eat meat, nor fish.)
• Neither: can sometimes replace "nor" in paired constructions, but "neither" is typically used before the first element.
  • He can neither read nor write. (Not: He can nor read.)

Related Idioms

• Neither here nor there: not important or relevant to the matter at hand.
  • His opinion is neither here nor there. (His opinion is irrelevant.)
• Nor hide nor hair: no trace or sign of someone or something (informal, usually with "neither").
  • We've seen neither hide nor hair of him since last week. (We have seen no sign of him at all.)