nor
Nor is a negative conjunction. We use “nor” to join two negative ideas, similar to saying “and not” or “and also not.” It’s a little difficult to use “nor” because this word uses its own rules for word order.
- I’m not tired. Nor am I hungry. (I’m not tired, and I’m not hungry.)
- This is neither fast nor easy. (This isn’t fast or easy.)
- She has never quit trying, nor does she intend to in the future.
Do you notice an unusual word order in the examples above? Watch the video and then finish the lesson below.
The Conjunction “Nor”
a. nor = negative or
The word “nor” can be used in the same way that “or” is used except that “nor” helps to emphasize the negative.
- We received no warning or explanation.
- We received no warning nor explanation.
- They have no food or water.
- They have no food nor water.
- She never smiles or laughs anymore.
- She never smiles nor laughs anymore.
- It’s not cheap or efficient.
- It’s not cheap nor efficient.
- It’s not cheap. Nor is it efficient.
The word “nor” may sound a little more formal than “or.” This is one reason why speakers of English may choose not to use it. It’s usually easier just to use “or” instead of “nor.”
a. nor = negative or
- He has no willingness nor hope to survive his illness.
- Coal-burning plants are not clean nor efficient in producing energy.
b. neither...nor
It’s fairly common to use “neither” with “nor” when talking about two things.
- She drinks neither coffee nor tea.
- He tolerates neither racism nor discrimination.
- This situation is neither easy nor comfortable to manage.
- The students could understand neither the professor nor his assistant.
“Neither…nor” is the converse of “either…or.”
- She can choose either chocolate or vanilla ice cream. (She can choose one of these flavors.)
- He likes neither chocolate nor vanilla ice cream. (He doesn’t like these two flavors of ice cream.)
b. neither...nor
- A bike is a great mode of transportation because it is neither expensive nor difficult to own and use for everyday purposes.
- Freedom is neither guaranteed nor available to all people around the world.
c. using verbs after "nor"
Helping verbs often appear in the second part of a compound sentence. After nor we often invert the subject and verb
- You don’t want to go there, nor do I. (The helping verb is “do.”)
- He didn’t like the apartment, nor did she. (The helping verb is “did.”)
- I’ve never been to China, nor have you. (The helping verb is “have.” This sentence is in the present perfect tense.)
- The students aren’t in the classroom, nor is the teacher. (In this sentence the main verb is “be.”)
c. using verbs after "nor"
- Candy isn’t really good for you, nor is it cheap if you consider how much it costs per pound.
d. practice
Change the following sentence pairs using “nor.”
- I don’t like coffee. / I don’t like tea.
- He didn’t call me. / He didn’t send a message.
- We have never been to Canada. / We have never been to Mexico.
- She isn’t interested in sports. / She isn’t interested in politics.
- They didn’t understand the question. / They didn’t ask for help.
d. possible answers
- 1. Nor: I don’t like coffee, nor do I like tea.
- 1. Neither…nor: I like neither coffee nor tea.
- 2. Nor: He didn’t call me, nor did he send a message.
- 2. Neither…nor: He neither called me nor sent a message.
- 3. Nor: We have never been to Canada, nor have we been to Mexico.
- 3. Neither…nor: We have been to neither Canada nor Mexico.
- 4. Nor: She isn’t interested in sports, nor is she interested in politics.
- 4. Neither…nor: She is interested in neither sports nor politics.
- 5. Nor: They didn’t understand the question, nor did they ask for help.
- 5. Neither…nor: They neither understood the question nor asked for help.
First published on November 28, 2025