Neither vs Nor our people fail
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Neither
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
Nor our people fail
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Nor our people failMost common: Neither
| Neither | Nor our people fail | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnaɪðə(r)//ˈniːðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈniːðər//ˈnaɪðər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɔːr aʊə ˈpiːpl feɪl//🇺🇸 //nɔr aʊər ˈpipəl feɪl// |
| Meaning | not one and not the other | not our people fail |
| Example | Neither answer is correct. | Our mission is clear: we shall not falter, nor our people fail. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Collocations | neither here nor there, neither this nor that, neither of the options | nor our people, nor they fail, nor shall we |
| Antonyms | either | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'neither' with more than two options., Confusing with 'either' when stating positive options., Using 'neither' without 'nor' when making comparisons. | Using 'nor' incorrectly with singular subjects., Confusing with 'nor' and 'or'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'neither' primarily in formal or written contexts. It's common to express choices, but avoid in casual speech where simpler terms may be preferred. | Typically used in literary or formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Neither vs Nor our people fail
What's the difference between Neither and Nor our people fail?
Neither: not one and not the other Nor our people fail: not our people fail
Which is more formal: Neither and Nor our people fail?
Nor our people fail is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Neither and Nor our people fail?
Neither is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Neither: Neither answer is correct. Nor our people fail: Our mission is clear: we shall not falter, nor our people fail.
Can I use Neither and Nor our people fail interchangeably?
Not always. Neither and Nor our people fail are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.