nec / neque (Neither, Nor)
Neither, Nor
And not, or a pair that means neither ... nor.
How It Works
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| nec or neque | and not | Marcus cantat nec saltat. Marcus sings and does not dance. |
| nec ... nec | neither ... nor | Nec Marcus nec Iulia venit. Neither Marcus nor Iulia is coming. |
| neque ... neque | neither ... nor | Puella neque cantat neque saltat. The girl neither sings nor dances. |
Use whichever form you like, since both mean the same. When the pair joins two single names, the verb is often singular, as in Nec Marcus nec Iulia venit.
A pair of nec words is shorter than two sentences with non: Marcus non venit et Iulia non venit says the same thing.
Examples (5)
- Nec Marcus nec Iulia venit.
Neither Marcus nor Iulia is coming.
Nec ... nec joins two names, and the verb is singular.
- Puella neque cantat neque saltat.
The girl neither sings nor dances.
Neque ... neque joins two verbs, and neither needs non.
- Marcus cantat nec saltat.
Marcus sings and does not dance.
One nec alone means and not.
- Maria nec timet nec plorat.
Mary is neither afraid nor crying.
The pair of nec words covers both verbs.
- Neque Petrus neque Paulus tacet.
Neither Peter nor Paul is silent.
Neque is the longer form of nec.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Nec and neque mean and not, so non and -que come first.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice nec / neque (Neither, Nor) in Bubblegum
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