Neither Nor: Mastering Correlative Conjunctions with Examples

Understanding how to use correlative conjunctions correctly is crucial for constructing grammatically sound and logically coherent sentences. Among these, “neither…nor” is particularly important. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to using “neither…nor,” covering its definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to master this essential grammatical concept.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Neither Nor
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories
• Examples of Neither Nor Sentences
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

The English language is rich with tools that allow us to express complex ideas with precision and clarity. Correlative conjunctions are one such tool, and “neither…nor” is a prime example. Mastering this conjunction is essential for anyone looking to improve their writing and speaking skills. This article will delve into the intricacies of “neither…nor,” providing a clear understanding of its usage, structure, and common pitfalls. By the end of this guide, you will be able to confidently incorporate “neither…nor” into your everyday communication.

Definition of Neither Nor

“Neither…nor” is a correlative conjunction used to present two negative alternatives. It indicates that neither one of the options being presented is true or possible. The function of “neither…nor” is to connect two grammatically similar elements, such as nouns, verbs, phrases, or clauses, while negating both of them. It signifies a mutual exclusion between the linked elements. Essentially, when you use “neither…nor,” you are saying that something is not one thing and it is also not another thing. This conjunction is vital for expressing negation in a balanced and grammatically correct manner.

In simpler terms, “neither” negates the first option, and “nor” negates the second option, creating a compound negative statement. Consider the following sentence: “Neither John nor Mary is coming to the party.” This means that John is not coming, and Mary is also not coming. The conjunction effectively links these two negative statements into a single, concise sentence.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of “neither…nor” is relatively straightforward. It involves placing “neither” before the first element you want to negate and “nor” before the second element. The elements connected by “neither…nor” must be grammatically parallel. This means that if “neither” is followed by a noun, “nor” should also be followed by a noun. Similarly, if “neither” is followed by a verb phrase, “nor” should also be followed by a verb phrase. Maintaining this parallelism is crucial for grammatical correctness and clarity.

The basic formula is: Neither + [Element A] + nor + [Element B] + [Rest of the Sentence]. The “rest of the sentence” often includes a verb that agrees in number with the closer subject (Element B), though this is a point of contention and formal writing often prefers singular agreement.

Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

• Neither: This word introduces the first negated option.
• Element A: This can be a noun, verb, adjective, phrase, or clause.
• Nor: This word introduces the second negated option, mirroring the grammatical structure of Element A.
• Element B: This should be the same grammatical type as Element A.

For example, in the sentence “Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the couch,” “neither” is followed by the noun phrase “the cat,” and “nor” is followed by the noun phrase “the dog.” Both elements are parallel, ensuring the sentence is grammatically sound.

Types and Categories

While the basic structure of “neither…nor” remains consistent, its usage can vary depending on the types of elements it connects. Here are some common categories:

1. Noun Phrases

When “neither…nor” connects noun phrases, it indicates that neither of the nouns is involved in the action or state described by the verb. For instance, “Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the fire drill.”

2. Verb Phrases

When “neither…nor” connects verb phrases, it indicates that the subject does not perform either of the actions described by the verbs. An example is: “He neither called nor wrote to me after the argument.”

3. Adjectives

Using “neither…nor” with adjectives shows that something is not one adjective and also not the other. For example, “The movie was neither interesting nor exciting.”

4. Prepositional Phrases

This usage shows that something is not in one place or condition, nor in another. Example: “The keys were neither on the table nor in my bag.”

5. Clauses

Connecting clauses with “neither…nor” indicates that neither of the clauses is true or valid. An example: “Neither what he said nor what he did was acceptable.”

Examples of Neither Nor Sentences

To illustrate the different ways “neither…nor” can be used, here are several examples categorized by the type of elements they connect.

Table 1: Examples with Noun Phrases

This table showcases how “neither…nor” is used to connect noun phrases, indicating that neither noun is involved in the action or state.

Sentence	Explanation
Neither John nor Mary attended the meeting.	Both John and Mary were absent from the meeting.
Neither the cat nor the dog wants to go outside in this weather.	Both animals prefer to stay indoors due to the weather.
Neither the red shirt nor the blue pants match the jacket.	Both the shirt and the pants are unsuitable to wear with the jacket.
Neither the coach nor the players were happy with the result.	Both the coach and the players expressed dissatisfaction.
Neither the book nor the magazine contained the information I needed.	The information was not found in either the book or the magazine.
Neither the rain nor the wind stopped us from going to the beach.	Despite the weather, we still went to the beach.
Neither the coffee nor the tea was hot enough.	The beverage temperatures were inadequate.
Neither the manager nor the employees approved of the new policy.	No one liked the new policy.
Neither my brother nor my sister knows how to play the piano.	Both siblings lack piano skills.
Neither the car nor the motorcycle is working today.	Both vehicles are out of service.
Neither the phone nor the computer is connected to the internet.	Both devices are offline.
Neither the food nor the drinks were included in the price.	Both items were extra cost.
Neither the beginning nor the end of the movie was very interesting.	The movie lacked an engaging start and finish.
Neither the heat nor the humidity made the day enjoyable.	The weather conditions were unpleasant.
Neither the noise nor the crowds bothered her.	She was unfazed by the surroundings.
Neither the old house nor the new apartment felt like home.	She didn’t feel comfortable in either place.
Neither the doctor nor the nurse could identify the cause of the illness.	The medical professionals couldn’t diagnose the illness.
Neither the sun nor the moon was visible last night.	The sky was obscured.
Neither my father nor my mother will be able to attend the wedding.	Both parents are unable to attend.
Neither the key nor the code worked to open the door.	Access was restricted because of both failures.
Neither the book nor the pen belongs to me.	I do not own either item.
Neither the question nor the answer was clear.	Both were confusing.
Neither the victory nor the defeat changed his attitude.	His mindset remained the same.

Table 2: Examples with Verb Phrases

This table demonstrates the use of “neither…nor” to connect verb phrases, indicating that the subject does not perform either action.

Sentence	Explanation
He neither called nor wrote.	He did not communicate in any way.
She neither sings nor dances.	She is not a performer.
They neither approved nor rejected the proposal.	They remained neutral on the proposal.
The machine neither starts nor stops properly.	The machine malfunctions consistently.
The company neither confirmed nor denied the rumors.	The company avoided addressing the rumors directly.
He neither understands nor cares about the issue.	He is both ignorant and apathetic.
She neither eats meat nor drinks alcohol.	Her diet is highly restrictive.
The government neither increased nor decreased taxes.	The tax rate remained unchanged.
He neither smiled nor frowned during the performance.	His expression remained neutral.
She neither accepted nor refused the offer.	She remained undecided.
They neither supported nor opposed the plan.	They took a neutral stance.
He neither helped nor hindered the project.	His involvement had no impact.
She neither judged nor praised their work.	She offered no evaluation.
They neither won nor lost the game.	The game ended in a draw.
He neither asked nor answered the question.	He remained silent.
She neither taught nor learned anything new.	Her experience was unproductive.
They neither planted nor harvested any crops this year.	The agricultural season was unsuccessful.
He neither fixed nor broke the machine.	The machine’s condition remained unchanged.
She neither saved nor spent any money.	Her financial situation remained stable.
They neither encouraged nor discouraged the idea.	Their reaction was neutral.
He neither read nor watched the news.	He was uninformed.
She neither remembers nor forgets the incident.	The memory is vague.
They neither started nor finished the task.	The task remains incomplete.
He neither believes nor doubts the story.	He is uncertain about the truth.

Table 3: Examples with Adjectives

This table illustrates how “neither…nor” is used to connect adjectives, indicating that the subject is not described by either adjective.

Sentence	Explanation
The movie was neither interesting nor funny.	The movie lacked both qualities.
The food was neither hot nor cold.	The food’s temperature was inadequate.
The weather is neither sunny nor cloudy.	The sky is partially covered.
The book was neither long nor short.	The book’s length was moderate.
The test was neither easy nor difficult.	The test’s difficulty was average.
The car is neither new nor old.	The car is of moderate age.
The shirt is neither clean nor dirty.	The shirt’s cleanliness is questionable.
The room was neither big nor small.	The room was of average size.
The coffee is neither strong nor weak.	The coffee’s strength is moderate.
The music was neither loud nor soft.	The music’s volume was average.
The job is neither exciting nor boring.	The job’s appeal is moderate.
The answer was neither right nor wrong.	The answer was partially correct.
The news was neither good nor bad.	The news was neutral.
The situation is neither urgent nor trivial.	The situation requires moderate attention.
The task is neither simple nor complex.	The task’s difficulty is moderate.
The design is neither modern nor traditional.	The design blends styles.
The performance was neither impressive nor disappointing.	The performance was mediocre.
The explanation was neither clear nor confusing.	The explanation was somewhat understandable.
The result was neither positive nor negative.	The result was inconclusive.
The experience was neither pleasant nor unpleasant.	The experience was neutral.
The lesson was neither long nor boring.	The lesson was manageable and engaging.
The soup was neither too salty nor too sweet.	The soup was well-balanced.
The event was neither crowded nor empty.	The event had a moderate attendance.

Table 4: Examples with Prepositional Phrases

This table contains examples of “neither…nor” connecting prepositional phrases, indicating something is not in either of the specified locations or conditions.

Sentence	Explanation
The keys were neither on the table nor in my bag.	The keys are missing from both locations.
He is neither at home nor at work.	He is elsewhere.
The cat is neither under the bed nor behind the sofa.	The cat is in a different hiding spot.
The money is neither in the bank nor in my wallet.	The money is missing.
The information is neither on this website nor in the report.	The information cannot be found in either source.
The problem is neither in the software nor in the hardware.	The problem lies elsewhere.
The solution is neither in this book nor in that article.	The answer is not found in either resource.
The mistake is neither in the code nor in the design.	The error is located elsewhere.
The evidence is neither in the file nor in the database.	The evidence is missing from both locations.
The answer is neither on page 10 nor on page 20.	The answer is on a different page.
The event is neither on Monday nor on Tuesday.	The event is scheduled for a different day.
The meeting is neither in the morning nor in the afternoon.	The meeting is scheduled for the evening.
The package is neither at the post office nor at my doorstep.	The package is in transit.
The concert is neither in the park nor in the stadium.	The concert is at a different venue.
The restaurant is neither on Main Street nor on Oak Avenue.	The restaurant is located elsewhere.
The museum is neither in the city center nor in the suburbs.	The museum is located outside the city.
The school is neither near the river nor near the forest.	The school is inland.
The store is neither on the left nor on the right.	The store is straight ahead.
The hotel is neither by the sea nor by the mountains.	The hotel is inland.
The office is neither on the first floor nor on the second floor.	The office is on a different floor.
The cat is neither inside nor outside.	The cat is missing.
The game is neither online nor offline.	The game is unavailable.
The car is neither parked here nor there.	The car is missing.

Table 5: Examples with Clauses

This table provides examples of “neither…nor” connecting clauses, indicating that neither clause is true or valid.

Sentence	Explanation
Neither what he said nor what he did was acceptable.	Both his words and actions were inappropriate.
Neither if it rains nor if it snows will we cancel the event.	The event will proceed regardless of the weather.
Neither because he asked nor because she insisted did I change my mind.	My decision was not influenced by their requests.
Neither that he is rich nor that he is famous impresses me.	His wealth and fame do not affect me.
Neither where he goes nor what he does is my concern.	I am not interested in his activities.
Neither how he feels nor what he thinks matters to them.	His emotions and opinions are irrelevant.
Neither why she left nor when she will return is known.	Her departure and return are mysteries.
Neither that they agreed nor that they disagreed surprised us.	Their reaction was expected.
Neither if he wins nor if he loses will he be satisfied.	He is perpetually dissatisfied.
Neither because they tried nor because they failed did they give up.	They persevered despite their efforts and setbacks.
Neither that she apologized nor that she explained changed anything.	The situation remained unchanged despite her efforts.
Neither where they live nor how they live is important to me.	Their lifestyle is irrelevant.
Neither how he behaves nor what he says is appropriate.	His conduct is consistently inappropriate.
Neither why they argue nor when they argue is predictable.	Their conflicts are unpredictable.
Neither that he is tall nor that he is strong helps him in this job.	His physical attributes are irrelevant to the job.
Neither if it is easy nor if it is hard will I quit.	I will persevere regardless of the challenge.
Neither because she is tired nor because she is busy will she decline.	She will accept despite her fatigue and schedule.
Neither that they are happy nor that they are sad is my business.	Their emotions are not my concern.
Neither where he works nor what he earns is important to her.	His career and income are irrelevant.
Neither how she dresses nor what she wears matters to him.	Her attire is of no concern to him.
Neither what she says nor what she writes is believable.	She is untrustworthy.
Neither if he stays nor if he leaves will I care.	I am indifferent.
Neither because I want to nor because I need to will I do that.	I will not do that.

Usage Rules

Several rules govern the correct usage of “neither…nor.” Adhering to these rules ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

1. Parallel Structure

The elements connected by “neither…nor” must be grammatically parallel. This means that if “neither” is followed by a noun, “nor” should also be followed by a noun. The same applies to verbs, adjectives, phrases, and clauses.

2. Subject-Verb Agreement

This is the trickiest part. Traditionally, when “neither…nor” connects two singular subjects, the verb should be singular. However, modern usage often leans toward using a plural verb if the second subject is plural. In formal writing, it’s best to make the verb agree with the subject closer to it. For example: “Neither the students nor the teacher *was* happy.” But, “Neither the teacher nor the students *were* happy.”

3. Placement

Place “neither” and “nor” immediately before the elements they are negating. Avoid unnecessary words between “neither” or “nor” and the elements they connect.

4. Avoiding Double Negatives

Since “neither…nor” is already negative, avoid using additional negative words in the same clause. For instance, instead of saying “Neither John nor Mary didn’t come,” say “Neither John nor Mary came.”

Table 6: Usage Rules Summary

This table summarizes the key usage rules for “neither…nor” to ensure correct application.

Rule	Example	Explanation
Parallel Structure	Correct: Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed. Incorrect: Neither the cat nor is the dog allowed.	Elements connected by “neither” and “nor” must be grammatically similar.
Subject-Verb Agreement	Neither John nor Mary is coming. Neither the teacher nor the students are coming.	The verb agrees with the subject closer to it.
Placement	Correct: Neither he nor she knows the answer. Incorrect: He neither nor she knows the answer.	“Neither” and “nor” should be placed immediately before the elements they negate.
Avoiding Double Negatives	Correct: Neither John nor Mary came. Incorrect: Neither John nor Mary didn’t come.	Do not use additional negative words in the same clause.

Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can occur when using “neither…nor.” Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them.

1. Lack of Parallelism

One of the most common mistakes is failing to maintain parallel structure. For example, “Neither John likes to swim nor running” is incorrect because “swim” is a verb, while “running” is a gerund. The correct version is “Neither John likes to swim nor to run” or “John likes neither swimming nor running.”

2. Incorrect Verb Agreement

Another frequent error is using the wrong verb form, especially when one subject is singular and the other is plural. Remember to make the verb agree with the closer subject.

3. Double Negatives

Using double negatives with “neither…nor” is a common mistake. For example, “Neither John nor Mary didn’t come” is incorrect. The correct sentence is “Neither John nor Mary came.”

4. Misplaced “Neither” or “Nor”

Placing “neither” or “nor” in the wrong position can lead to confusion. Ensure that these words are placed directly before the elements they are negating.

Table 7: Common Mistakes and Corrections

This table highlights common errors in using “neither…nor” and provides the correct alternatives.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Neither John likes to swim nor running.	Neither John likes to swim nor to run. John likes neither swimming nor running.	Maintain parallel structure.
Neither the students nor the teacher were happy.	Neither the teacher nor the students were happy. Neither the teacher nor the students was happy. (Formal)	Verb should agree with the closer subject.
Neither John nor Mary didn’t come.	Neither John nor Mary came.	Avoid double negatives.
He neither nor she knows the answer.	Neither he nor she knows the answer.	Place “neither” and “nor” correctly.

Practice Exercises

These exercises will help you practice using “neither…nor” correctly. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words or phrases.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using “neither…nor” and the provided words.

Question	Answer
1. _________ John _________ Mary can speak French. (neither / nor)	Neither John nor Mary can speak French.
2. She likes _________ tea _________ coffee. (neither / nor)	She likes neither tea nor coffee.
3. _________ the red shirt _________ the blue one fits me. (neither / nor)	Neither the red shirt nor the blue one fits me.
4. He is _________ rich _________ famous. (neither / nor)	He is neither rich nor famous.
5. _________ did he call _________ write. (neither / nor)	Neither did he call nor write.
6. They wanted _________ to stay _________ to leave. (neither / nor)	They wanted neither to stay nor to leave.
7. _________ the beginning _________ the end of the story was interesting. (neither / nor)	Neither the beginning nor the end of the story was interesting.
8. She is _________ happy _________ sad. (neither / nor)	She is neither happy nor sad.
9. _________ the cat _________ the dog ate the food. (neither / nor)	Neither the cat nor the dog ate the food.
10. I will _________ go there _________ call them. (neither / nor)	I will neither go there nor call them.

Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. Neither John likes to swim nor running.	Neither John likes to swim nor to run. Or, John likes neither swimming nor running.
2. Neither the students nor the teacher were happy.	Neither the teacher nor the students were happy. Or, Neither the teacher nor the students was happy. (Formal)
3. Neither John nor Mary didn’t come.	Neither John nor Mary came.
4. He neither nor she knows the answer.	Neither he nor she knows the answer.
5. Neither the book or the magazine had the information.	Neither the book nor the magazine had the information.
6. She neither eats meat, nor fish.	She eats neither meat nor fish.
7. Neither my brother or sister knows the answer.	Neither my brother nor my sister knows the answer.
8. He is neither tall and strong.	He is neither tall nor strong.
9. She neither called and nor wrote.	She neither called nor wrote.
10. Neither the weather or the time was right.	Neither the weather nor the time was right.

Exercise 3: Sentence Construction

Construct sentences using “neither…nor” with the given prompts.

Prompt	Example Answer
1. John / Mary / speak Spanish	Neither John nor Mary can speak Spanish.
2. She / like / cats / dogs	She likes neither cats nor dogs.
3. He / visit / London / Paris	He has visited neither London nor Paris.
4. The movie / interesting / exciting	The movie was neither interesting nor exciting.
5. They / agree / disagree / with the proposal	They neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposal.
6. She / want / go / stay	She wants neither to go nor to stay.
7. The food / hot / cold	The food was neither hot nor cold.
8. He / call / text	He neither called nor texted.
9. The book / long / short	The book was neither long nor short.
10. They / support / oppose / the idea	They neither supported nor opposed the idea.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, there are more complex aspects of using “neither…nor” to consider.

1. Inversion

In formal writing, “neither” can be used at the beginning of a sentence, followed by an auxiliary verb and the subject. This is called inversion and is used for emphasis. For example: “John doesn’t like coffee, and neither do I.” Here, “neither” is followed by the auxiliary verb “do” and the subject “I.”

2. “Neither” as a Pronoun

“Neither” can also be used as a pronoun, referring to two options. For example: “I offered him tea or coffee, but he wanted neither.” In this case, “neither” means “not either one.”

3. Complex Sentence Structures

“Neither…nor” can be used in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving multiple clauses or phrases. The key is to maintain parallelism and ensure clarity.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about using “neither…nor.”

1. Can I use “neither…nor” with more than two options?

   No, “neither…nor” is specifically for two options. For more than two options, use “none…nor” or rephrase the sentence.

2. Is it correct to say “Neither of them are coming”?

   While commonly used, formally it should be “Neither of them is coming” because “neither” refers to each individual separately. However, modern usage often accepts the plural form.

3. What is the difference between “neither…nor” and “either…or”?

   “Neither…nor” presents two negative alternatives, while “either…or” presents two positive alternatives.

4. Can I start a sentence with “neither”?

   Yes, but only in formal writing and when using inversion. For example, “John doesn’t like coffee, and neither do I