Nor do i or Neither do i: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: Both nor do i and neither do i are grammatically correct in English, though they function differently in a sentence. Neither do i stands alone to agree with a negative statement, while nor do i connects two negative clauses within the same sentence structure.

The Short Answer

Neither do i is the standard phrase used to agree with a negative statement made by someone else, whereas nor do i is used to link two negative ideas within a single sentence.

People often confuse these pairs because both convey agreement with negativity, but one operates as a standalone response while the other acts as a conjunction joining clauses together.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
Neither do i	Correct	Responding to a negative statement
Nor do i	Correct	Connecting two negative clauses
Neither does i	Incorrect	Avoid this mixed construction
Nor does i	Rare	Specific formal third-person contexts

Correct Example Sentences

I cannot swim, and neither can my brother.
She does not like coffee, nor does she enjoy tea.
He has not finished his work, nor has he started the next task.
We are not going to the park, so neither are we bringing snacks.
They do not understand the rules, nor do they want to learn them.
I have never been to Paris, and neither has my sister.
He does not play guitar, nor does he sing in the choir.
We are not hungry, so neither are we ordering dessert.
She does not watch horror movies, nor does she read scary books.
I do not know the answer, and neither do they.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I do not like it, and neither do I not.: I do not like it, and neither do I.
She does not run, and nor I do.: She does not run, nor do I.
I am not happy, nor am I sad.: I am not happy, and neither am I sad.
He cannot drive, and neither can he fly.: He cannot drive, nor can he fly.
We do not agree, so neither does they.: We do not agree, so neither do they.
I did not see it, nor did I hear it not.: I did not see it, nor did I hear it.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check if your sentence contains two separate clauses joined by a conjunction; if you are linking two negative thoughts in one sentence, use nor, but if you are simply replying to someone else, use neither to stand alone.

Related Word Pairs

Its versus It's: Use its for possession and it's for it is.
Their versus There: Use their for ownership and there for location.
Your versus You're: Use your for possession and you're for you are.
Then versus Than: Use then for time and than for comparison.
Effect versus Affect: Use effect for the result and affect for the action.

More Example Sentences

I have never eaten sushi, nor do I plan to try it soon.
The dog did not bark, and neither did the cat move.
We are not leaving early, so neither are the others.
She does not like spicy food, and neither does her husband.
I cannot reach the top shelf, nor can I find a step ladder.
They do not speak French, and neither do I understand it.
He has not called yet, nor has he sent a text message.
I am not interested in golf, and neither is my friend.
The store is not open on Sundays, nor is it open on Mondays.
We did not finish the project, and neither did the other team.

Quick Practice

I do not like olives, nor she.

does

She does not drive, and do I.

neither

He cannot swim, nor his brother.

can

We are not tired, so are we sleepy.

neither

I have not seen that movie, nor my parents.

have

They do not want pizza, and do we.

neither

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use nor do i at the start of a sentence?

You can start a sentence with nor only if it continues a negative thought from the previous clause, otherwise neither do i is the better choice for a fresh start.

Is neither do i formal or informal?

It is standard English suitable for both formal writing and casual conversation, making it a versatile choice for agreeing with negative statements in any context.

Do I need a comma before nor do i?

Yes, typically use a comma before nor when it connects two independent clauses, ensuring the sentence flows correctly and the grammatical structure remains clear to the reader.

What is the difference between neither and nor?

Neither usually starts a clause or sentence to show agreement, while nor joins two negative elements within a sentence, helping to link related ideas without repetition.