Correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions that work together to connect equal elements in a sentence.
Either / Or (Choice Between Two)
"Either" and "or" present a choice between two options.
- Either you come with us or you stay here.
- We can either eat now or wait for everyone.
- She will either accept the offer or decline it.
Neither / Nor (Negative of Both)
"Neither" and "nor" connect two negative alternatives. Both options are rejected.
- Neither John nor Mary came to the party.
- I like neither coffee nor tea.
- She neither called nor emailed.
Subject-verb agreement: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Neither the teacher nor the students are ready. (students = plural)
- Neither the students nor the teacher is ready. (teacher = singular)
Both / And (Addition of Two)
"Both" and "and" connect two positive elements together.
- Both John and Mary were invited.
- She is both intelligent and hardworking.
- I enjoy both reading and writing.
Not only / But also (Emphatic Addition)
"Not only" and "but also" add emphasis. The second element is often surprising or particularly important.
- She is not only a talented singer but also a skilled dancer.
- Not only did he finish the project, but he also helped others.
- The car is not only fast but also fuel-efficient.
Inversion with "Not only": When "Not only" starts a sentence, the subject and verb are inverted.
- Not only did she win the race, but she also broke the record.
Whether / Or (Two Possibilities)
"Whether" and "or" present two alternatives, often in indirect questions.
- I don't know whether to go or stay.
- Whether you like it or not, we have to leave.
- She asked whether I wanted tea or coffee.
Parallel Structure Requirement
Correlative conjunctions must connect grammatically equal elements.
| Incorrect | Correct | | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | She is both smart and has talent. | She is both smart and talented. | | He either likes running or to swim. | He likes either running or swimming. |