neither + option 1 + nor + option 2Use this to exclude both options in one structure.
Neither and Nor
B1Use neither ... nor to join two options that are both negative. Do not add another not, and let the verb follow the subject after nor.
What you'll learn
- Join two negative options with neither ... nor.
- Avoid extra not with neither ... nor.
- Choose the verb from the subject after nor.
- Keep both parts parallel after neither and nor.
- Recognize the neither ... nor signal in a sentence.
Structure
Neither + subject 1 + nor + subject 2 + verbWith two subjects, the verb follows the subject after nor.
subject + verb + neither + option 1 + nor + option 2Use this when neither ... nor is the object after the verb.
Build a sentence
Pattern
Pair
Neither Tomnor his friendsare
Neither Tom nor his friends are coming.
The verb follows the subject after nor. Here friends is plural, so use are.
When to use
Two rejected choices
Use it when both options are excluded. Anna wants neither tea nor coffee.
Two subjects
Use it with two subjects and check the subject after nor for the verb: Neither Tom nor his friends are here.
Matching forms
Keep the two parts in the same shape: neither calling nor texting, neither tired nor angry.
Markers
neithernorneither tea nor coffeeneither Tom nor Annaneither at home nor at work
Common mistakes
Wrong
We don't need neither salt nor pepper.
Correct
We need neither salt nor pepper.
Neither already makes the idea negative, so don't adds a second negative.
Wrong
Neither Tom or Maria was late.
Correct
Neither Tom nor Maria was late.
After neither, use nor to introduce the second option.
Wrong
Neither the teachers nor the principal are ready.
Correct
Neither the teachers nor the principal is ready.
The verb follows the subject after nor. Principal is singular, so use is.
Wrong
Maria wants neither to drive nor a taxi.
Correct
Maria wants neither to drive nor to take a taxi.
The two parts should match: both infinitives, both nouns, both adjectives, or both phrases.
Wrong
She doesn't like neither tea nor coffee.
Correct
She likes neither tea nor coffee.
Neither ... nor already carries the negative meaning, so don't use doesn't here.
Common misconceptions
❝ Neither ... nor means only one option is negative. ❞
Neither ... nor excludes both options, not just one of them.
❝ With neither ... nor, the verb always follows the first subject. ❞
In standard English, the verb follows the subject after nor: Neither my brother nor my parents are coming.
Skills in this rule (5)
JOIN_TWO_NEGATIVE_OPTIONSw5Use neither ... nor to reject two options together
Use neither ... nor when two choices are both not true, not possible, or not wanted. It links the two parts in one negative structure.
NO_EXTRA_NOTw5Avoid extra not with neither ... nor
Neither already makes the sentence negative. Do not add not, don't, doesn't, didn't, or won't to the same idea unless the sentence is being rebuilt in a different way.
VERB_WITH_SECOND_SUBJECTw4Match the verb to the subject after nor
When neither ... nor joins two subjects, the verb follows the subject that comes after nor. Look at the second subject to choose is/are, was/were, has/have, or singular/plural verb form.
USE_WITH_NOUNS_VERBS_PHRASESw4Use neither ... nor with parallel words or phrases
The two parts after neither and nor should match in shape: two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives, or two phrases. Keep the structure balanced.
RECOGNIZE_NEITHER_NOR_PATTERNw3Recognize the neither ... nor pattern in sentences
Spot neither before the first option and nor before the second option. This pattern signals that both options are excluded.