English grammar can be tough to get a handle on, even for those of us who grew up speaking it and diagraming sentences at school. Choosing between two words that seem alike, such as “nor” or “or,” is especially difficult.
Many writers get confused about when to use “nor,” not “or” in their sentences. As an editor, I have a pretty good handle on this. But I second guess myself sometimes, as was the case recently when I edited an academic journal article for publication.
These little conjunctions have big jobs to do when it comes to creating positive and negative statements, as well as keeping your grammar on point.
In this brief article, I intend to clarify how to use “nor” in different situations. I will present the main rules for using “nor” compared to “or.” You will also learn about some especially tricky cases. By the time you finish reading this, you should understand how to use “nor” and “or” the correct way in your writing.
Hopefully, this discussion will also help improve your overall English grammar skills.
Understanding the Basic Use of ‘Nor’
“Nor” is a word that links two or more negative ideas [1]. It often teams up with “neither” to make stronger negative statements. For example:
“Neither the red shirt nor the blue shirt is on sale” [2].
This structure connects a pair of words or phrases that are equal in importance [3].
When you use “nor,” you state the subject just once, before the first item in the list [4]. For example:
“I like neither apples nor oranges” [4].
This configuration makes a more emphatic negative statement than the use of “or,” as in the following sentence:
“I do not like either apples or oranges” [5].
Parallelism, a powerful tool for effective communication, is especially important in such sentence constructions.
Parallelism
Parallelism in grammar is essential for creating clear, concise, and balanced sentences. It involves using the same grammatical structure for similar elements within a sentence or series of sentences. This technique enhances readability and ensures that ideas are presented in a coherent and organized manner. By maintaining a consistent pattern, parallelism helps to emphasize relationships between ideas. This makes the text more engaging and easier to understand. It also adds a rhythmic quality to your writing, which can make it more persuasive and memorable.
Keeping things parallel is key when you use “neither” and “nor.” If you pair “neither” with a noun, make sure “nor” goes with a noun too [5].
“Nor” can also stand on its own as a subordinating or coordinating conjunction [6]. Here’s an example: “Betty will not go on vacation with you, nor with Sylvan” [6].
“Or” does not stand up as well on its own in such a sentence construction. Consider how awkward the following sounds:
“Betty will go to France with me or Stephan.”
The addition of “either” helps smooth things out.
“Betty will go to France with either me or Stephan.”
Using ‘Nor’, not ‘Or’
Paying attention to the parallelism in your sentences can help you decide whether to use “nor,” not “or” in a sentence. Parallel structure isn’t just important for correctly placing coordinating conjunctions. It also applies to lists, infinitives, and words that end with “-ing [1].
To join negative statements, use “nor.” Here’s an example: “I ate neither breakfast nor lunch today” [4]. “Or” is more appropriate to positive statements. For instance: “I’ll have eggs or pancakes for breakfast” [4].
Keeping all the elements in your statement parallel is key. Take a look at this incorrect sentence:
“I will not give a speech, nor debate” [1].
A more correct way to format the same sentence would be:
“I will not give a speech, nor will I debate” [1].
This ensures all the sentence phrases have the same grammatical shape and tone.
‘Nor’, not ‘Or’: Tricky Situations
“Nor” often shows up in negative statements, but sometimes “or” is the right choice. You should use “or” to keep a negative idea going when the second negative item in a sentence is a noun, adjective, or adverb phrase [1]. The first negative spreads to all the listed elements [1].
For instance, when using “not,” you should structure it as “not A or B.” It’s better to say, “He is not interested in math or science” than “He is not interested in math nor science” [1]. In the same way, “She didn’t sing or even speak” comes across more clearly than “She didn’t sing nor even speak” [1].
When a sentence starts with “neither,” it’s common to use “nor” to keep things balanced. But when we’re talking about noun phrases, “or” can work just fine. Take this example: “Neither the SDK interfaces or any other reference material are necessary.”
This sentence is just fine as is [7].
Conclusion
“Nor” and “or” are two little conjunctions that have a big influence on the clarity and accuracy of your sentences. Knowing the nuances involved in the use of these words can help you create more exact and powerful statements.
In the end, getting good at using “nor” and “or” is about more than just learning correct grammar. It’s about honing your verbal and written communication skills and developing your mental ear for natural language.
When you follow the rules presented here regarding parallelism and the positive versus negative tone of your sentences, you don’t have to question whether your word choice is correct. You can rest in the knowledge that your work sounds polished and professional. Your conscientious use of the English language will stick with your readers to make a lasting impression.
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FAQs
- When should you use “nor,” not “or” in a sentence?
- You should use ‘nor’ instead of “or” to make a negative choice between two or more options. “Nor” goes with “neither” to show that none of the options is true or acceptable.
- Can you give an example of how “nor” fits into a sentence?
- “Nor” comes after “neither” to continue or introduce a second negative statement. This shows the second option isn’t true either. Here’s an example: “She likes neither apples nor oranges.”
- Is there a difference between “nor” and “or?”
- Yes! “Or” comes in handy when you’re giving people options, like “Do you want tea or coffee?” On the flip side, “nor” shows up in negative situations and often teams up with “neither.” Think along the lines of “I don’t want tea, and I don’t want coffee either.” In other words, “I want neither tea nor coffee.”
- Can “nor” and “or” be used interchangeably?
- Sorry, no. You can’t just swap “nor” and “or” however you please. “Nor” belongs in negative constructions, linking things that are both false or unwanted. “Or” is all about offering choices or options, where at least one could work out.
References
[1] – https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/when-to-use-nor/
[2] – https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/snr/3511/19686
[3] – https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Nor
[4] – https://www.learnenglish.de/mistakes/norvsor.html
[5] – https://www.grammarly.com/blog/neither-nor/
[6] – https://study.com/academy/lesson/neither-nor-meaning-rule-examples.html
[7] – https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/3623/should-i-use-or-or-nor-after-a-negative-statement
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