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Ruslana Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Can 'neither' be ever used with 'or'?
Well, another ignorant question from me today... 
Are there any cases in which we use neither + or?
For example:
Neither Tom nor John went there. - OK
But what about sentences such as:
It feels silky, has no undercoat and neither knots nor / or tangles.
Neither could we talk nor / or write about people or objects.
Are there any cases in which we use neither + or?
For example:
Neither Tom nor John went there. - OK
But what about sentences such as:
It feels silky, has no undercoat and neither knots nor / or tangles.
Neither could we talk nor / or write about people or objects.
Top answer
Hi Lana I think you'll see native speakers do that fairly often -- at least informally. For example: - I have neither the time or the money to do that. I'd say if you want to be formally correct, however, you should use "nor".
- Hi Lana I think you'll see native speakers do that fairly often -- at least informally.
- For example: - I have neither the time or the money to do that.
- I'd say if you want to be formally correct, however, you should use "nor".
- Ruslana It feels silky, has no undercoat and neither knots nor / or tangles.
- I prefer "nor" .
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3 Answers
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Hi Lana
I think you'll see native speakers do that fairly often -- at least informally. For example:
- I have neither the time or the money to do that.
I'd say if you want to be formally correct, however, you should use "nor".
I think you'll see native speakers do that fairly often -- at least informally. For example:
- I have neither the time or the money to do that.
I'd say if you want to be formally correct, however, you should use "nor".
RuslanaIt feels silky, has no undercoat and neither knots nor / or tangles.
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Rusiana:
Please use either/or and neither/nor in pairs and your logic will be sound.
See the note in American Heritage Dictionary:
Usage Note: When using neither in a balanced construction that negates two parts of a sentence, nor (not or) must be used in the second clause: She is neither able nor (not or) willing to go. Similarly, when negating the second of two neg
Please use either/or and neither/nor in pairs and your logic will be sound.
See the note in American Heritage Dictionary:
Usage Note: When using neither in a balanced construction that negates two parts of a sentence, nor (not or) must be used in the second clause: She is neither able nor (not or) willing to go. Similarly, when negating the second of two neg
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Thanks, girls! I was afraid that I had started missing some "brand new" grammar rules but fortunately I haven't missed something, and it's just as in all other languages: spoken language is quite different from written. I'll keep on clinging to either/or and neither/nor pairs.
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