"Neither" Vs "Nor" - How to Use Them
English learners often get puzzled by “neither” and “nor.” They look similar, often show up in the same sentence, and both deal with negative ideas.
But don’t worry—Midoo AI is here to break them down so you’ll know exactly when and how to use each.
Neither – The Starter
The word neither is often used to introduce the first negative choice. It can act as:
- a pronoun (Neither of them is ready.)
- a determiner (Neither option works for me.)
- an adverb (I don’t like pizza, and neither do I like pasta.)
Examples of “neither”
- Neither answer is correct.
- I wanted coffee, but neither café was open.
- Neither of my friends likes horror movies.
- She tried both dresses, but neither suited her.
- I don’t play tennis, and neither does my brother.
👉 Think of neither as saying “not this one and not that one.”
Nor – The Connector
The word nor usually appears after “neither,” linking it to the second negative choice. It’s also used to continue a negative sentence that started with words like not, never, or no.
Examples of “nor”
- She likes neither tea nor coffee.
- The movie was not funny, nor was it interesting.
- He never called, nor did he write.
- They had no tickets, nor any money.
- Neither the teacher nor the students knew the answer.
👉 Think of nor as the “and not” that connects two negatives.
How They Work Together
The most common pattern is neither … nor … This construction means not one and not the other.
Examples
- Neither John nor Mary came to the meeting.
- The restaurant serves neither meat nor fish.
- We had neither time nor money for a vacation.
Common Mistakes
❌ Neither John or Mary came. ✅ Neither John nor Mary came.
❌ I don’t like apples, neither I like bananas. ✅ I don’t like apples, nor do I like bananas.
Quick Comparison Table
| Word | Role | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neither | Pronoun, determiner, adverb | Introduces first negative choice | Neither option works. |
| Nor | Conjunction | Links two negative choices | She likes neither tea nor coffee. |
FAQs
Can I use “nor” without “neither”?
Yes. For example: He didn’t call, nor did he text.
Is it always “neither … nor …”?
Most of the time, yes. It’s the standard way to join two negatives.
Do I need to use singular or plural after “neither”?
Usually singular: Neither option is good. But with plural nouns, it can be plural: Neither of the players are ready.
Can I use “or” instead of “nor”?
No. “Neither … or …” is incorrect. Always use “nor.”
Is “neither” always negative?
Yes. It always expresses a negative choice.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the simple rule:
- Use neither to start the negative idea.
- Use nor to connect the next negative idea.
So: Neither this nor that. Easy!