Cool MateNor vs Nor our people fail
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Nor
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B1
Nor our people fail
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Nor our people fail
| Nor | Nor our people fail | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/nɔː(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/nɔːr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɔːr aʊə ˈpiːpl feɪl//🇺🇸 //nɔr aʊər ˈpipəl feɪl// |
| Meaning | used to connect two negative options | not our people fail |
| Example | She seemed neither surprised nor worried. | Our mission is clear: we shall not falter, nor our people fail. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | nor do I, neither here nor there, nor can I | nor our people, nor they fail, nor shall we |
| Antonyms | or | - |
| Common mistakes | Used 'nor' after a positive statement instead of a negative one., Confused 'nor' with 'or'., Incorrectly placed 'nor' at the beginning of a sentence without a preceding negative clause. | Using 'nor' incorrectly with singular subjects., Confusing with 'nor' and 'or'. |
| Usage notes | Nor is often used in more formal contexts, especially in literary or academic writing. Avoid using it in informal spoken English. Typically follows a negative clause. | Typically used in literary or formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Nor vs Nor our people fail
What's the difference between Nor and Nor our people fail?
Nor: used to connect two negative options Nor our people fail: not our people fail
Which is more formal: Nor and Nor our people fail?
Nor our people fail is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Nor: She seemed neither surprised nor worried. Nor our people fail: Our mission is clear: we shall not falter, nor our people fail.
Can I use Nor and Nor our people fail interchangeably?
Not always. Nor 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.