Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word.
We have never been to China, _____ have we visited Japan.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The first part of the sentence, 'We have never been to China,' is a negative clause.
'Nor' is the correct coordinating conjunction to introduce a second negative idea or clause.
A critical grammar rule requires subject-auxiliary inversion after 'nor'. The structure 'nor have we visited' correctly follows this rule, where the auxiliary verb 'have' precedes the subject 'we'.

Option B: 'Neither' is not used as a standalone conjunction to connect two full clauses in this manner. It functions either as part of the 'neither...nor' pair or to show agreement.
Option C: 'Not' is an adverb that negates a verb or clause; it is not a conjunction and cannot be used to join two independent clauses.
Option D: 'Never' is an adverb of frequency. Using it here would result in a grammatically incorrect sentence (a comma splice) as it does not function as a conjunction to link the two clauses.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Use of conjunctions in negative sentences as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests general English proficiency, which is a fundamental skill for all professionals, including nurses.
Clear and grammatically correct communication is essential for accurate patient documentation, effective handover reports, and clear instructions to patients and their families.
Miscommunication due to grammatical errors can lead to misunderstandings and potential patient safety risks.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the sentence structure. Identify that it contains two parts separated by a comma and a blank.
Recognize that the first clause, 'We have never been to China,' is negative because of the word 'never'.
Understand that the second clause also expresses a negative idea and has an inverted structure ('have we visited').
Recall the grammatical rule for connecting two negative clauses. The conjunction 'nor' is used for this purpose and requires inversion in the second clause.
Evaluate the options. 'Nor' fits the rule perfectly. 'Neither', 'Not', and 'Never' are grammatically incorrect for joining two clauses in this context.
Confirm the choice by reading the complete sentence: 'We have never been to China, nor have we visited Japan.' It sounds grammatically correct and logical.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.