Is it possible to use a neither ... nor construction with the same subject? Correct example: 1. I don't see it as a good idea, nor do I believe that it's even possible. Doubtful examples: 2. Neither I

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Marvin

Is it possible to use a neither ... nor construction with the same subject? Correct example: 1. I don't see it as a good idea, nor do I believe that it's even possible. Doubtful examples: 2. Neither I see it as a good idea, nor do I believe that it's even possible. 3. I neither see it as a good idea nor believe that it's even possible. Does the second example sound right to you? If so, which one is better the 1st or 2nd? I just realized that I might have been making wrong sentences for a while. What about example 3? Does it sound good?

Nov 25, 2019 1:37 AM

Answers · 3

#1 is correct. You use this construct when you want to place an extra emphasis on the 2nd part. Otherwise, if you want to treat the part preceding the 'nor' with equal stress/emphasis as the part after the 'nor' than you would not use this construct. You'd say something like, "I don't see it as a good idea or that it's even possible". This 2nd form is probably more common. 2. Neither DO I see it as a good idea, nor do I believe that it's even possible. ('do' needed) 3. I neither see it as a good idea nor believe that it's even possible. (correct) #3 is slightly better than #2.

November 25, 2019

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