What should I use? "and" or "or" or "nor"?

Question

Examples:I have apples, oranges, and bananas in the basket.I don't have apples, oranges, and bananas in the basket.Is the second sentence correct?  Or should I say:I don't have apples, oranges, or bananas in the basket.I don't have apples, oranges, nor bananas in the basket.Thanks!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

without more context, "I don't have apples, oranges, or bananas in the basket."

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Can you say:

I don't have physics and biology credits?

Or should you say: I don't have physics or biology credits.

Avangi · Answer

I would use "or."

I can imagine a context in which "and" would be acceptable, but it would be rare.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

AnonymousI have apples, oranges, and bananas in the basket.

I don't have apples, oranges, and bananas in the basket.

In casual usage with positive context, " I have apples, oranges and....." is correct.
But in negative context, as in your example:

AnonymousI don't have apples, oranges, or bananas in the basket.

I don't have apples, oranges, nor bananas in the basket.

I prefer: "I don't have any apples or oranges...". "Or" is casually accepted in everyday usage.
But in full grammatical terms, when the context begins with negative, as in: "I don't have the time, nor the energy to take care of you business", "nor" is correct.

Avangi · Answer

dimsumexpress But in negative context, as in your example:
Anonymous I don't have apples, oranges, or bananas in the basket.
I don't have apples, oranges, nor bananas in the basket. I prefer: "I don't have any apples or oranges...". "Or" is casually accepted in everyday usage.
But in full grammatical terms, when the context begins with negative, as in: "I don't have the time, nor the energy to take care of you business", "nor" is correct. While some find this correct, I find it awkward and unnatural. I'd use "nor" where the verb is positive, as in "I have neither the time nor the energy."

You imply that you prefer anon's first example, but you don't say whether or not you consider his second example correct.

Are you suggesting, "I don't have any apples, oranges, nor bananas in the basket"?

What should I use? "and" or "or" or "nor"?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions