Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join equal grammatical elements. Unlike coordinating conjunctions (which are single words) and subordinating conjunctions (which create dependent clauses), correlative conjunctions come in matched sets that work together to create balanced, emphatic sentences. The most common pairs are both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, and whether...or. This guide covers each pair in detail, explains the essential rules for parallel structure and subject-verb agreement, and provides plenty of examples and exercises.
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What Are Correlative Conjunctions?
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect balanced elements in a sentence. The word "correlative" means "mutually related," reflecting how both parts of the pair function together. Each part of the pair is placed before one of the elements being joined, creating a clear, balanced structure.
"Both the students and the teachers enjoyed the field trip."
"Either we leave now or we miss the train."
The Main Correlative Pairs
| Pair | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| both...and | Inclusion of two elements | "Both cats and dogs make great pets." |
| either...or | Choice between two elements | "Either call me or send an email." |
| neither...nor | Exclusion of two elements | "Neither the car nor the bus was on time." |
| not only...but also | Emphasis on addition | "She is not only smart but also kind." |
| whether...or | Two possibilities | "Whether we win or lose, we'll have fun." |
Both...And
"Both...and" emphasizes that two things are equally true, present, or included. It creates a sense of completeness.
"She speaks both French and Spanish."
"Both the manager and the employees agreed to the plan."
"The restaurant is both affordable and delicious."
"He both sings and plays guitar."
Subject-verb agreement: "Both...and" always creates a plural subject: "Both Tom and Sarah are coming" (never "is coming").
Either...Or
"Either...or" presents a choice between two alternatives. It can join nouns, verbs, adjectives, phrases, or clauses.
"Either you apologize or I'm leaving."
"You can have either tea or coffee."
"We'll go either on Saturday or on Sunday."
"Either the blue shirt or the green one will work."
Subject-verb agreement: With "either...or," the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it: "Either the students or the teacher is responsible." / "Either the teacher or the students are responsible."
Neither...Nor
"Neither...nor" indicates that both options are excluded—neither one is true or applicable.
"Neither the movie nor the book was very good."
"She neither called nor texted."
"Neither rain nor snow will stop the delivery."
"The food was neither hot nor cold."
Subject-verb agreement: Like "either...or," the verb agrees with the nearer subject: "Neither the cats nor the dog is outside." / "Neither the dog nor the cats are outside."
Not Only...But Also
"Not only...but also" adds emphasis by suggesting that the second element is surprising or noteworthy in addition to the first.
"She is not only intelligent but also creative."
"He not only passed the exam but also scored the highest in the class."
"Not only did she finish the marathon, but she also set a personal record."
"The hotel is not only affordable but also centrally located."
Note: When "not only" begins a sentence, the subject and auxiliary verb in the first clause are inverted: "Not only does she sing, but she also dances."
Subject-verb agreement: The verb agrees with the subject closer to it, but in practice, the second subject usually determines the verb: "Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised."
Whether...Or
"Whether...or" presents two possibilities, often when the outcome doesn't matter or both are being considered:
"Whether you agree or disagree, the decision stands."
"I'm going whether it rains or shines."
"We need to decide whether to go by car or by train."
"Whether he wins or loses, he always stays positive."
Other Correlative Pairs
Less common correlative pairs include:
- as...as: "She is as talented as her sister."
- just as...so: "Just as the teacher expected, so the students performed."
- the more...the more: "The more you practice, the more you improve."
- no sooner...than: "No sooner had she arrived than the phone rang."
- not...but: "She is not lazy but efficient."
- rather...than: "I would rather walk than drive."
- scarcely...when: "Scarcely had he sat down when the doorbell rang."
Parallel Structure Rule
The most critical rule for correlative conjunctions is parallel structure: the grammatical elements following each part of the pair must be the same type. If a noun follows the first conjunction, a noun must follow the second. If a verb follows the first, a verb must follow the second.
✗ Not parallel: "She both likes and is good at tennis." (verb phrase + adjective phrase)
✓ Parallel: "She both likes and excels at tennis." (verb + verb)
✗ Not parallel: "Not only is she a great singer but also dancing." (clause + gerund)
✓ Parallel: "She is not only a great singer but also an excellent dancer." (noun phrase + noun phrase)
✗ Not parallel: "Either we can go to the beach or the mountains." (clause + noun)
✓ Parallel: "We can go either to the beach or to the mountains." (prep phrase + prep phrase)
Placement Tip: To ensure parallelism, place each part of the correlative pair directly before the element it introduces. If you place "both" before a noun, place "and" before the matching noun. If you place "either" before a verb, place "or" before the matching verb.
Subject-Verb Agreement
| Correlative Pair | Agreement Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| both...and | Always plural | "Both he and she are here." |
| either...or | Agree with nearer subject | "Either he or they are coming." |
| neither...nor | Agree with nearer subject | "Neither they nor he is coming." |
| not only...but also | Agree with nearer subject | "Not only he but also they are coming." |
Common Errors
1. Mixing Up Pairs
✗ "Neither she or he was there." (Wrong: "or" instead of "nor")
✓ "Neither she nor he was there."
2. Faulty Parallelism
✗ "He not only plays basketball but also is a swimmer."
✓ "He is not only a basketball player but also a swimmer."
3. Wrong Subject-Verb Agreement
✗ "Both the teacher and the student is ready."
✓ "Both the teacher and the student are ready."
Practice Exercises
Complete each sentence with the correct correlative conjunction pair:
- "___ the children ___ the parents enjoyed the show."
- "She ___ sings ___ dances at every performance."
- "___ you come with me ___ I'll go alone."
- "He was ___ tired ___ hungry after the hike."
- "___ had she finished ___ the phone rang."
Answers: 1. Both...and. 2. not only...but also. 3. Either...or. 4. both...and. 5. No sooner...than.
Key Takeaway: Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect balanced elements. Always maintain parallel structure between the elements they join, and remember the subject-verb agreement rules: "both...and" is always plural; "either...or" and "neither...nor" agree with the nearer subject.