Anonymous  +  609734 Thu, 11 Dec 08 01:48 AM Hi, which is correct? I think the use of 'nor' is correct in no. 1 but I don't know why the use  of 'neither' could be incorrect in no. 2 if it is indeed incorrect. 1.Joe didn't take my pen today, nor did he take my pencil the other night.  2.Joe didn't take my pen today, neither Jane took my pencil the other night. Anonymous

	Grammar Geek  +  609736 Thu, 11 Dec 08 01:53 AM  2 - Joe didn't take my pen today, neither did Jane take my pencil the other night. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,671 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Grammar Geek  +  609898 Thu, 11 Dec 08 01:29 PM I'm actually having doubts about my earlier post. Of yours, only #2 is clearly correct. I'm honestly not sure if #1 would be considered correct, although it seems so to me. #4 is not correct - Nor is a conjunction and shouldn't start a second sentence. #3 might be the correct version of #1 - let's wait for someone else more well versed in the "neither" to comment. It strikes me as wrong, but I've been wrong before.   Grammar Geek Sentences

	Cool Breeze  +  609908 Thu, 11 Dec 08 02:04 PM Grammar Geek “ I'm actually having doubts about my earlier post. Of yours, only #2 is clearly correct. I'm honestly not sure if #1 would be considered correct, although it seems so to me. ” Hi GG Both seem correct to me and Noah Webster's disciples. CB Cool Breeze Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006 Senior Member 3,978 "I hope you'll all live to be 150 years old - and the last voice you hear is mine!" Frank Sinatra on stage in Oslo, Norway, 28 September 1991

	Tidus  +  609961 Thu, 11 Dec 08 03:51 PM Joe didn't take my pen today, neither did Jane take my pencil the other night.  Joe didn't take my pen today, nor did Jane take my pencil the other night.  Joe didn't take my pen today. Neither did Jane take my pencil the other night.  Joe didn't take my pen today. Nor did Jane take my pencil the other night. I think the only one that is correct is the second.  Used on its own, neither is usually used relative to the same thing ie "I have two pens and neither of them work".   Where neither is relative to separate things or people, then it is usually followed by nor ie "Neither Joe nor Jane took my pen today".  So, the only one that looks ok to me is: Joe didn't take my pen today, nor did Jane take my pencil the other night. Tidus Joined on Mon, Nov 27 2006 England Full Member 372