Hi Everyone, I'm writing a poem and I have a question on the proper use of "Nor". I'm writing a line that will have two negatives and I am not sure if "Or" or "Nor" is more appropriate to use. Please see an example below: Unworthy are feelings something something Nor closest relations something something OR Unworthy are feelings something something Or closest relations something something Which one is more correct? Please advice You are most wise!
Nor is a bit old fashioned. Kind of depends on the style honestly. I don't hardly use it. What matters more is the sound of the letter and if it fits the meter. "N" is softer, while "Or" is a bit harsher. Pay attention to how it sounds when read and make sure you listen to it while read aloud. I'd have to see the whole stanza before I can really say if it fits or not.
Nor furthers a negative, though. "I don't like hummus, nor do I like arugula," doesn't make sense when you use "Or" and would be grammatically incorrect if you did. So it would really depend on the context of the poem, but I think that neither "Nor" nor "Or" is what you're looking for. I would probably go with "as" to continue the negative, and but to refute it. Maybe even an "And." It really does depend on how the lines finish and what direction you want to take them.
Thank you @EFMingo and @The Dapper Hooligan, I will post the two lines in question: Unworthy are feelings we forged in our tears Nor/Or closest relations we built through the years I guess I can consider "And" as an alternative.
My apologies, I'm tired and didn't look at the differing meanings of "or" and "nor." @The Dapper Hooligan has got me on that. I was just looking at the sound honestly.
Thank you so much! That's what I was thinking as well, but I wasn't too sure whether it was grammatically correct.
Not sure "nor" works there. Had it been "Worthy aren't", I could've bought it, but while they're "Unworthy" it feels a bit off. I'd go with "or" or "and". The more I think about it, "or" seems off too. Maybe it's because of the "closest" without a preceeding "the", as opposed to "close". I think "and" sounds best here.
What about if I change "Unworthy" to "Not worthy", does "nor" work then? (I'd prefer to avoid using "and" if I can)
I wouldn't go to "Not Worthy". It changes the stresses in the line and I don't feel like it's a change for the better. I'd personally go with "nor", but it's whatever you feel is best and are most comfortable with.
I'm really sorry, but surely it would just be "and"? At least in the way it's written currently. Apologies if I'm wrong, if I am just ignore this.
The grammatical answer is that should be "and." It's a compound subject. Feelings and relations are unworthy. The phrases are inverted across two lines, but even in OVS order, it's still two subjects that are unworthy. But stylistically, the second line could have verb elided. Nor (are) closest relations we built . . . And I guess you know my choice is nor. If you're going that route you need the negation. If too much is chopped the line loses meaning.
I don't have the full context to be quite sure. But "or" and "nor" aren't your only options here, and they may not be your best.
In a nutshell, this. If you use "nor" the "neither" is implied. You'd use "either/or" of one of the alternatives is acceptable, although the implication is that only one of them will be used. "You can have either cake or pie for dessert." But probably not both, although it's not expressly forbidden. "You can have neither cake nor pie for dessert." Both alternatives are fobidden. Got it?
Upon reflection, I'm going to revise my answer slightly. As I said, it looks like you're given a choice between the two of them, but the implication is that you can't have both. However, if it's stated that "You can have cake or pie for dessert," there is no such implication, and you're free to help yourself to either, or both.
I disagree - even when stated this way, the implication is still there, if only because people often omit "either".
But what would the alternative be? "You can have cake and pie" implies that they come as a package, just like "surf and turf" or "ham and eggs."
"What's for dessert?" "You can have either cake or pie." - one or the other, not both. "You can have cake or pie." - One or the other, maybe both, unclear. "You can have cake and pie." - Both, or maybe they come together, unclear. "You can have cake pie." - Both in one dish. "You can have neither cake nor pie." - No cake, no pie. Language is not always precise. "You can have cake, or you can have pie, but you can't have both." - Unambiguous, but no one would ever say this.
