Parallel VS Negative

Question

Following is a parallel construction.1. She turned neither right or left.Can we express the same idea with the following negative sentence.2. She didn't turn right or left.Are both equally correct (gramatically and sementically).GB

Inchoateknowledge · Accepted Answer

Grammarian-botFollowing is a parallel construction.

1. She turned neither right or left.
Can we express the same idea with the following negative sentence.

2. She didn't turn right or left.
Are both equally correct (gramatically and sementically).
GB

she turned neither right nor left.
she did not turn either right or left.

Arvsworld · Answer

#2 is better than #1.

1. Neither is used with nor and either is used with or. Maybe you did not need to use "neither" here. The way you worded this statement indicates that she still turned somewhere. Although I know that you meant she turned nowhere. But if I can get carried away on this for a moment:

In two dimensional space, there would only be right, left, front and back - and an infinite amount of increments from one general direction to the other. If she neither turned right nor left, then the possibility that she turned back still exists.

In three dimensional space, up and down would be added to the general directions "right, left, front and back". If she neither turned right nor left, then the possibility that she turned up, down or back still exists.

Either way, for clarity, you would still have to complete your idea.

2. If she didn't turn, then you don't need to use "right or left". Just say, "She didn't turn."

Parallel VS Negative

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