nem...nem

Neither...Nor

Level 3

Use nem...nem to exclude two or more options simultaneously. It is the negative counterpart to ou...ou (either...or).

How It Works

The correlative structure nem...nem is a powerful tool for connecting negative ideas. Here is how to become confident with its use:

  • Syntactic Flexibility: It can connect nouns (nem pão nem leite), verbs (nem estuda nem trabalha), or adjectives (nem caro nem barato).
  • Double Negation Rule: If the nem...nem structure comes before the verb, you do not use the word não. For example: 'Nem ele nem ela vieram'.
  • Emphatic Negation: If the verb is already negated by 'não', you can still use 'nem' to add items: 'Não quero café nem chá'. However, using 'nem...nem' is more emphatic.
  • Pronoun Placement: Because 'nem' is a negative word, it acts as a 'magnet' for pronouns. In Portuguese, this triggers proclisis, meaning the pronoun must come before the verb (e.g., 'Nem me viu').
  • Verb Agreement: When linking two subjects, the verb usually goes into the plural if both are excluded together. However, the verb must be singular if the subjects are mutually exclusive (e.g., 'Nem Pedro nem Paulo será eleito').
  • Nem um nem outro: This specific phrase is commonly used to mean 'neither one' and generally requires a singular verb in formal registers.

Examples (6)

  1. Nem o João nem a Maria sabiam da festa.

    Neither João nor Maria knew about the party.

    Word by Word: Neither the João nor the Maria knew of the party.

    When the subjects are placed before the verb using 'nem...nem', the verb is usually plural and no 'não' is needed.

  2. Nem Pedro nem Paulo será eleito presidente.

    Neither Pedro nor Paulo will be elected president.

    Word by Word: Neither Pedro nor Paulo will-be elected president.

    The verb is singular here because the subjects are mutually exclusive; only one person can be elected president.

  3. Nem um nem outro me convenceu.

    Neither one nor the other convinced me.

    Word by Word: Neither one nor other me convinced.

    The expression 'nem um nem outro' typically takes a singular verb in formal Portuguese.

  4. Ele nem estuda nem trabalha.

    He neither studies nor works.

    Word by Word: He neither studies nor works.

    Here, 'nem...nem' connects two verbs to show that neither action is being performed.

  5. O filme não era nem bom nem mau.

    The movie was neither good nor bad.

    Word by Word: The movie not was neither good nor bad.

    In this case, 'não' negates the verb 'era', and 'nem...nem' connects the two adjectives.

  6. Nem me ligaste nem me mandaste uma mensagem.

    You neither called me nor sent me a message.

    Word by Word: Neither me called nor me sent a message.

    Notice how 'nem' attracts the pronoun 'me' to the position before the verb (proclisis).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'não' redundantly when 'nem...nem' starts the sentence.

    Nem ele nem ela não vieram.
    Nem ele nem ela vieram.

    In Portuguese, if the negative subject (nem...nem) precedes the verb, the verb should not be negated again with 'não'.

  • Using 'e nem' in formal writing.

    Não como carne e nem peixe.
    Não como carne nem peixe.

    While common in casual speech, 'nem' already means 'and not', so adding 'e' (and) is technically redundant in formal registers.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

nem...nemLevel 3Neither...Nor

Learn This First

To understand 'nem...nem' (neither...nor), learners first need to be comfortable with basic sentence connectors (conjunctions) and the fundamental way negation is expressed in Portuguese.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

nemnem