nor

/nɔːr/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈɔr] /nɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈɔr] /nər, ˈnȯr Southern also ˈnär/ (ame, mw)

nor — conjunction

1. comes before the second choice in a negative pair to show that both choices are

1.連接詞A2
釋義

comes before the second choice in a negative pair to show that both choices are excluded.

例句

The cafe serves neither coffee nor tea after midnight.

pattern: neither A nor B

Reema wanted neither the blue coat nor the gray jacket.

同義詞
  • neither

    appears before the first item, while 'nor' introduces the second one

反義詞
  • or

    offers alternatives instead of rejecting both possibilities

文法句型

neither A nor B

neither + noun + nor + noun

neither + verb + nor + verb

用法筆記

This sense normally follows 'neither' and presents the second item in the pair. Use it when both choices, actions, or possibilities are being rejected together.

常見錯誤

❌The cafe serves neither coffee or tea.
✅The cafe serves neither coffee nor tea.
💡after 'neither', English normally uses 'nor' for the second option.
❌Reema wanted not the blue coat nor the gray jacket.
✅Reema wanted neither the blue coat nor the gray jacket.
💡'neither ... nor ...' is the natural paired form.

2. after a negative statement, introduces another clause or reply that carries the

2.連接詞B1
釋義

after a negative statement, introduces another clause or reply that carries the same negative meaning.

例句

Amani had not seen the key, nor had her sister.

negative clause, nor + auxiliary + subject

The road was not wide, nor was it well lit.

同義詞
  • neither

    can introduce a similar negative clause, especially in writing

  • not ... either

    much more common in everyday speech than formal 'nor' replies

文法句型

negative clause, nor + auxiliary + subject

nor do I

nor was it + adjective

用法筆記

This sense usually comes after a full negative clause and often inverts the auxiliary and subject: 'nor did she', 'nor was it'. It is more formal than the everyday pattern 'and ... not' or 'not ... either'.

常見錯誤

❌Amani had not seen the key, nor her sister had.
✅Amani had not seen the key, nor had her sister.
💡after 'nor', the auxiliary usually comes before the subject.
❌Aoi does not eat beef, nor I do.
✅Aoi does not eat beef, and Nikos replied, "Nor do I.
💡the reply uses auxiliary inversion.