kiezel52
Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2013
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Swedish
- Home Country
- Sweden
- Current Location
- Sweden
I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune.
Question 1: "nor" is usually used with "neither", however in the sentence above, which is a grammatically correct sentence, "nor" is used without "neither". I understand what the sentence means, I have no problem with that, but up until today I hadn't known that "nor" could have been used this way. My question is, is it possible to use the sentence above with "neither" in it this time?
Example: I can neither give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune.
Question 2: If it is possible, then why isn't there a "neither" in the first sentence? Why didn't the speaker use it? Are there some cases where "neither" can be omitted? What are those cases?
Question 3: In the second part of the sentence, there is an inversion. Usually, the "neither ... nor" sentences I come across don't have inversions, sentences usually follow as: "Neither drinking nor smoking is good for your health." I would like to know when and how we use inversion with "nor" like the first example.
Question 4: If we can use "nor" without "neither" and inverse the second part of the sentence, can we do the same thing with "or"?
Example: I can drop you by the bus stop, or can I take you to your home.
I am aware that this is a bit too long but this confusion has haunted me for a couple of days now. I would really appreciate it if you could help me.
Question 1: "nor" is usually used with "neither", however in the sentence above, which is a grammatically correct sentence, "nor" is used without "neither". I understand what the sentence means, I have no problem with that, but up until today I hadn't known that "nor" could have been used this way. My question is, is it possible to use the sentence above with "neither" in it this time?
Example: I can neither give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune.
Question 2: If it is possible, then why isn't there a "neither" in the first sentence? Why didn't the speaker use it? Are there some cases where "neither" can be omitted? What are those cases?
Question 3: In the second part of the sentence, there is an inversion. Usually, the "neither ... nor" sentences I come across don't have inversions, sentences usually follow as: "Neither drinking nor smoking is good for your health." I would like to know when and how we use inversion with "nor" like the first example.
Question 4: If we can use "nor" without "neither" and inverse the second part of the sentence, can we do the same thing with "or"?
Example: I can drop you by the bus stop, or can I take you to your home.
I am aware that this is a bit too long but this confusion has haunted me for a couple of days now. I would really appreciate it if you could help me.