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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009nor in a series
Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems in room A, B, nor C." If I use "or" instead of "nor" would that be improper? > Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative > choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems > in room A, B, nor C." If I use "or" instead of "nor" would that be > improper? I hear and use both versions. If anything, in the series I would say ". . in room A nor B nor C", simply because the repetition of the negative makes enumeration even more emphatic than "A, B, nor C" (and certainly moreso than" . . .A, B, or C. . .") Emphasis is further underlined by counting with the fingers. (Note: using the "nor" between A and B eliminates the need for the comma. In addition, though some in AEU/AUE argue about it, I would never use that comma after the B, whether the series is linked by "or, nor or and". ) > Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative > choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems > in room A, B, nor C." If I use "or" instead of "nor" would that be > improper? Nor is for two choices; "neither A nor B"  SignatureAndrew http://www.wordskit.com/ http://www.flayme.com/ "If A is success in life, then A = x + y + z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut." ~ Albert Einstein >> Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative >> choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems >> in room A, B, nor C." If I use "or" instead of "nor" would that be >> improper? > >Nor is for two choices; "neither A nor B" It has sometimes been used for more than two. Quotes from the OED: a1616 SHAKESPEARE Measure for Measure (1623) III. i. 37 Thou hast neither heate, affection, limbe, nor beautie. 1630 W. BEDELL in Ussher's Lett. (1686) 454 This Protestation having neither Latin, nor Law, nor Common Sence. 1785 W. COWPER Task V. 90 Neither grub nor root nor earth-nut now Repays their labour more. SignaturePeter Duncanson, UK (in alt.english.usage) >>> Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative >>> choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > 1785 W. COWPER Task V. 90 Neither grub nor root nor earth-nut now Repays > their labour more. "Neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring" - John Heywood's 1546 proverb collection SignatureTony Cooper - Orlando, Florida > >> Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative > >> choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > It has sometimes been used for more than two. <snip examples> But not without a preceding "neither", regardless of the number of choices. SignatureOdysseus In article <22fd669b-27c3-4cef-83fe-61e10f8b0b62@t39g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, > Is it proper to use "nor" when describing a series of negative > choices. For instance, is it proper to say, "There were no problems > in room A, B, nor C." If I use "or" instead of "nor" would that be > improper? Sorry, I disagree with some other posters. I think that the natural way to express this is to write (or say) "There were no problems in rooms A, B, or C." I think that to say !"There were no problems in room A, B, nor C."! would be totally wrong, unidiomatic English. Lazarus > In article > <22fd669b-27c3-4cef-83fe-61e10f8b0b62@t39g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > would be totally wrong, unidiomatic English. AOL ... almost. I don't like it and don't use it, but it's around. Lotsa things are around that i don't like and don't use. This one is around more than I think it should be, but of course my "should be" level for this one is zero. Meanwhile, beware of "neither ... are." SignatureBob Lieblich Either ... nor, anyone? Lazarus Cooke <kishloganbarblesshook@hotmail.com> schrieb: >In article ><22fd669b-27c3-4cef-83fe-61e10f8b0b62@t39g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >Lazarus "There were no problems in room A, B or C." But: "There were no problems in room A and B, nor were there any problems in room C" ....or so I think. Nick > "There were no problems in room A, B or C." > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Nick Grammatically correct, maybe, but so weird and awkward that no native speaker would ever say it; nor, unless they had a cloth pen, would they ever write it, either. Lazarus |
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