Learn English – the correct way to use “neither” and “nor” in a sentence together

disjunctiongrammaticalitymeaningnegationword-choice

Given these facts:

  1. The tool cannot be found in the kitchen.
  2. The tool cannot be found in the bathroom.

Which is the correct sentence to represent the situation above?

  1. I can find the tool neither in the kitchen nor in the bathroom.
  2. I cannot find the tool neither in the kitchen nor in the bathroom.
  3. I cannot find the tool, neither in the kitchen nor in the bathroom.

Best Answer

The neither/nor combination expresses negation all by itself. Therefore it should be used with a positive statement. The following is correct.

I can find the tool neither in the kitchen nor in the bathroom.

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