very quick question

"I haven't the time nor the energy".

Because the speaker is using a double negatibe, is "nor" correct here? MS word is giving me a little green squiggle underneath. Is it American English because as far as I remember from school I would use "or" in a sentence such as "Are you a City or United fan?"

 

Comma be tween Time, and Nor.

However, it's better as: I haven't the time, nor energy.

 

is that why I'm getting the squiggle? When I click on suggestions i get "or" ?

thank you Nee - that was bugging me

 

If you right click on the green, it will tell you why it's flagged.

 

I haven't the time or the energy.
I have neither the time nor the energy.
I don't have the time or the energy.
I don't have either the time or the energy.

Don't overthink it.

 

Not always.

While it sounds like it should be 'nor' it actually should be 'or' because you don't have 'neither' in the sentence.

I think of it as 'and', not sure if that helps or not. It's not this and it's not that. It's not this or that.

It's neither this nor that.

Either - or
Neither - nor

 

Thank you - I know it was simple but it really bugged me.

 

.
(As you're in France.) It's the same construction in French - Ni... ni... Ni l'un ni l'autre. Neither one nor the other.

 

and it's not a double negative... it's saying:

i do not have the time
and
i do not have the energy

neither one is a double negative...

 

Applause

 

Agree with this 100%.

Also, Microsoft Word isn't always correct. Don't get too hung up on the green-things in your manuscript.

 

neither /nor

I think it would be better to use 'I have neither the time nor the energy'. It is usually either/or and neither/nor. I do not think you would use 'nor' without 'neither'. Also, is it reported speech? I try to avoid contractions unless it is in dialogue.