nor
nor — conjunction
1. a word that connects two negative choices in a sentence that already starts with
a word that connects two negative choices in a sentence that already starts with 'neither', telling the reader that both options are not true, not wanted, or not possible.
Neither the store manager nor any of the employees knew about the surprise inspection.
neither + noun phrase + nor + noun phrase
The patient could neither eat nor drink for twelve hours before the test.
neither + verb phrase + nor + verb phrase
Neither Haruto nor his cousin wanted to leave the party before the cake was cut.
The new bus route is neither faster nor cheaper for daily commuters.
- and not either
more wordy, used in informal speech ('She doesn't have a car, and she doesn't have a bike either.')
- and neither
used with inversion at the start of a second clause ('She doesn't have a car, and neither does he.')
文法句型
neither + [noun/verb/adjective] + nor + [same form]
neither X nor Y
用法筆記
The words or phrases after 'neither' and 'nor' must have the same grammatical form — both nouns, both verb phrases, both adjectives, etc. The main verb in a 'neither…nor' sentence is positive in form: say 'He neither called nor wrote', not 'He neither didn't call nor didn't write'.
常見錯誤
2. used at the start of a clause to say that a negative statement you just heard or
used at the start of a clause to say that a negative statement you just heard or read is also true for another person or thing; a short way of saying 'neither' or 'also not'.
Christopher did not enjoy the film. 'Nor did I,' said Nikhil with a shrug.
Nor + did + subject — response agreement
The teacher did not think the essay was well written. Nor did the other markers.
Élise has never visited that museum, and nor have her classmates.
Zuri cannot swim. 'Nor can I,' said Quinn, holding the side of the pool.
- neither
fully interchangeable in this position ('Neither do I.' = 'Nor do I.'), but 'neither' is slightly more common in American English.
- so
used the same way but for positive statements ('I like it.' 'So do I.')
文法句型
nor + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb
Nor + do/does/did/can/will + subject + verb
用法筆記
When 'nor' begins a clause, the subject and auxiliary verb swap positions (inversion): 'Nor do I' not 'Nor I do'. This inversion does NOT happen after 'and nor': '…and nor have any of her classmates' is correct (no inversion because 'and' already connects).
常見錯誤
3. introduces an additional negative point after a sentence that already contains '
introduces an additional negative point after a sentence that already contains 'not', 'never', 'no', or another negative word — the second negative point is typically something else that is also absent or not happening.
The mayor did not attend the ceremony, nor did she send a representative.
not + [verb] ... , nor + did + subject
The hotel room was not clean, nor were the towels changed.
The travel insurance does not cover overseas costs, nor does it pay for cancelled flights.
The children were never told about the move, nor were they given time to prepare.
- and not either
less formal, avoids inversion ('He didn't call, and he didn't come either.')
- and neither
same structure, interchangeable ('He didn't call, and neither did he come.')
文法句型
[negative clause], nor + auxiliary verb + subject + verb
not X, nor Y
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 1 in that the first negative is expressed by 'not', 'never', 'no', 'without', etc., NOT by 'neither'. A comma usually separates the two clauses. The pattern is typical of formal written English.
常見錯誤
4. used before a verb that looks positive (like 'did', 'could', 'would') to add ano
used before a verb that looks positive (like 'did', 'could', 'would') to add another negative action or situation that matches a negative one just mentioned — the verb is positive in form but the whole clause still says something did not happen.
Heather did not call the clinic. Nor did she reply to their reminder message.
nor + did + subject — positive verb after negative statement
The witness did not see the driver's face. Nor could she recall the car's colour.
The old town has no hospital. Nor does it have a proper fire station.
Lien does not speak Spanish. Nor does she understand it when others talk.
- and neither
nearly identical; 'and neither' can replace 'nor' in this pattern ('…and neither did she reply.')
文法句型
nor + positive auxiliary verb + subject + (positive main verb)
Nor + did/could/would/had + subject + verb
用法筆記
The verb after 'nor' in this sense is always a positive auxiliary (did, could, would, has, will, etc.) followed by the subject. The auxiliary carries the tense. Despite the positive verb form, the meaning remains negative: it adds something else that was not done, not possible, etc.
常見錯誤
nor — combining form
1. a prefix used in the naming of chemical compounds, showing that the compound has
a prefix used in the naming of chemical compounds, showing that the compound has one methyl group (CH₃) fewer than the standard compound it is derived from.
Noradrenaline has one less methyl group in its structure than adrenaline does.
nor- + adrenaline = noradrenaline
The research team identified a nor-steroid during their analysis of the rare plant extract.
The drug norepinephrine is used in hospitals to raise a patient's blood pressure during an emergency.
Chemists add the prefix 'nor-' to show the molecule has one fewer carbon atom.
文法句型
nor- + [chemical name]
用法筆記
This prefix is used almost exclusively in scientific writing and medical terminology. Learners at lower levels can ignore this sense — it only matters for students of chemistry, pharmacology, or medicine.
nor — noun
1. a type of electronic logic circuit that sends out an output signal only when non
a type of electronic logic circuit that sends out an output signal only when none of its input signals are active — it is the opposite of an OR gate in digital electronics.
A NOR gate gives a high output only when both inputs are low.
NOR gate + high output + both inputs low
The technician used two transistors to build a simple NOR circuit on the lab board.
A NOR gate works as a universal gate that can create any other logic circuit.
The students tested their NOR gate with a simple truth table during the lab class.
- NOT-OR gate
full descriptive name, less commonly used
- OR gate
produces a high output when at least one input is high, the opposite of a NOR gate
文法句型
NOR gate
NOR circuit
用法筆記
This sense is specific to digital electronics and computer engineering. The word is almost always capitalised as 'NOR' in this context, because it is formed by combining 'NOT' and 'OR'.