Correlative Conjunctions
Use correlative conjunctions correctly in sentences, pairing words such as either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also, and whether/or
What a learner can do afterwards
- Write sentences using each pair of correlative conjunctions correctly
- Keep matching grammatical forms on both sides of a correlative pair
- Identify and correct errors in correlative conjunction usage in given sentences
1 · Read
You have used 'and' to add an idea and 'or' to offer alternatives. Correlative conjunctions use two matching parts: either...or presents alternatives, neither...nor rules out both, and both...and includes both. These words can have other jobs too. In 'Both arrived', both stands alone. In 'We ate and left', and joins actions without both. Look at the construction, not just one word.
Parallel structure means the linked parts have matching grammatical forms. Match nouns with nouns, adjectives with adjectives, and actions with actions. 'Nico is both calm and friendly' matches two adjectives. Match swimming with running, not to run. For past actions, match jumped with waved, not waves. A full clause has a subject and a verb: 'Either you stay or you leave' matches two full clauses.
Not only...but also adds and emphasizes a second fact. 'The puppy not only chewed a sock but also hid a shoe' says that both actions happened. Each half sits before an action: chewed a sock and hid a shoe.
Whether...or introduces alternatives being considered: 'I wonder whether to sketch or to paint'. The to-forms match. A shared word can appear once: 'whether to sketch or paint' is also correct because to applies to both actions. After a shared will, use plain verbs: 'whether the balloon will rise or fall'. Do not mix a to-form with an -ing form.
When repairing a pair, keep the intended meaning. To rule out two actions, change 'neither waved or smiled' to 'neither waved nor smiled'. Changing neither to either changes the meaning. Check the forms too: 'not only sang and she danced' becomes 'not only sang but also danced'. Replace and she with but also to link the two actions.
Put each half before the parts you want to link. 'Leo carries both a brush and a comb' links two objects. 'Leo both carries a brush and uses a comb' links two actions. A repair may move the first half or repeat a verb. Check that the final sentence keeps the meaning and links matching forms.
Either...or presents alternatives, but the situation tells you whether both are allowed. If a rule allows exactly one prize, 'either a badge or a ribbon' means choose one. The rule excludes taking both. Read any stated rule before deciding whether a sentence permits one option or both.
Choose a pair that fits your meaning. Put its halves before matching words, phrases or clauses. Check the partners and the grammatical forms.
Original correlative-conjunction teaching and practice material written for this dataset.
Choosing a pair for your message and Checking what each half joins are original readings written for this dataset.
More to read
Choosing a pair for your message
Decide what you want the reader to understand before choosing a pair.
If two things are included, both...and can name them: 'The basket holds both apples and pears.' If both are absent, use neither...nor: 'The basket holds neither apples nor pears.' Changing the pair changes the message even though the two fruit names stay the same.
Either...or presents alternatives. A rule may limit the choice further. If a stall allows exactly one free fruit, 'either an apple or a pear' means take one. The one-fruit rule excludes taking both. Do not assume that every either...or sentence carries that same rule.
Whether...or is useful when considering possibilities: 'I wonder whether the pears are ripe or unripe.' Not only...but also adds a fact with emphasis: 'The stall not only sells fruit but also offers seeds.'
A familiar word does not always signal a pair. In 'Both disappeared', both stands alone. In 'We looked and waited', and joins actions without both. Read the whole sentence before deciding what job the word is doing.
Checking what each half joins
Find the parts introduced by each half of a pair. In 'Imani carries both a notebook and a folder', the linked parts name two objects. In 'Imani both writes notes and draws maps', they name two actions. Both sentences have matching forms.
The linked parts do not have to be the same length. 'Imani neither shouted nor asked for directions' matches two past-tense actions. Asked for directions is longer than shouted, but that does not break parallel structure.
A shared word may appear once. 'I cannot decide whether to read or write' shares to between read and write. Repeating it is also possible: 'whether to read or to write'. Mixing to read with writing does not keep the same form.
When repairing a sentence, check both meaning and structure. If neither begins a pair meant to rule out two things, use nor as its partner. Replacing neither with either would change the message.
Nor can also appear without neither. 'I did not call, nor did I send a message' adds another negative clause. This is a different construction from neither...nor.
2 · Watch
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