🔥 Advanced Grammar

Important Rules of Using Correlative Conjunctions Correctly

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect two balanced ideas, phrases, or clauses. Not only...but also, either...or, neither...nor, both...and, whether...or are the most common. Using them correctly requires attention to parallel structure, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun agreement. This guide covers all the essential rules with plenty of correct and incorrect examples.

What Are Correlative Conjunctions?

According to the Collins Dictionary, correlative conjunctions are "made up of two or more words working together as a pair, to link two similar items." They join words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance and grammatical form.

📘 Common Correlative Conjunctions

Not only...but also, Either...or, Neither...nor, Both...and, Whether...or, Hardly...when, Such...that

How Each Pair Works (With Examples)

A) Not only...but also

✓ Tom likes not only tea but also coffee.

✓ Not only Tom but also John told me this.

✗ Not only he is an actor but also he is a good singer.

B) Either...or

✓ Jack will buy either a car or a bike.

✗ Either Jack will buy a car or a bike.

✗ Either Jack will buy a car or Jack will buy a bike.

C) Neither...nor

✓ Jack will neither build a house nor purchase a flat.

✗ Neither Jack will build a house nor purchase a flat.

D) Both...and

✓ Both George and Jack have started learning English.

✓ My little sister has eaten both ice cream and chocolate.

✗ Both my little sister has eaten ice cream and chocolate.

E) Whether...or

✓ I'm not sure whether you should do that or not.

Rule 1: Maintain Parallel Structure

The items connected by correlative conjunctions must be grammatically parallel — same part of speech or same phrase/clause type.

✅ Correct (parallel)

The girl is both intelligent and beautiful. (adjective + adjective)

❌ Incorrect (not parallel)

The girl is both intelligent and works hard. (adjective + verb)

✅ Correct (parallel noun phrases)

I'm not sure whether the white shirt or the blue shirt would be better for you.

❌ Incorrect (mixed noun and verb phrase)

I'm not sure whether a white shirt or wearing a blue shirt would be better.

Rule 2: Subject-Verb Agreement

Two Singular Subjects → Singular Verb

✓ Neither my brother nor my sister likes pizza.

✓ Not only John but also Jack wants to learn English.

Exception: With Both...and, even two singular subjects take a plural verb: Both John and Jack like pizza.

Two Plural Subjects → Plural Verb

✓ Neither my brothers nor my sisters are coming home tonight.

✓ Not only girls but also boys respect their teachers.

One Singular + One Plural Subject → Verb agrees with the nearest subject

✓ Neither my brothers nor my sister likes coffee. (sister is singular, closest)

✓ Both my sister and my brothers like tea. (brothers is plural, closest)

Tip to avoid confusion: Place the plural subject closest to the verb — then the verb will always be plural. Neither my sister nor my brothers like coffee.

Rule 3: Pronoun Agreement

Two Singular Subjects → Singular Pronoun

✓ Not only George but also Jack lost his mobile.

✓ Neither Julee nor Marry completed her homework.

Exception: Both...and takes plural pronoun: Both George and Jack completed their homework.

Two Plural Subjects → Plural Pronoun

✓ Not only my friends but also your friends lost their mobiles.

✓ Both my sisters and my brothers accepted their mistakes.

One Singular + One Plural Subject → Pronoun agrees with nearest subject

✓ Neither Jack nor his friends accepted their faults. (friends is plural, closest)

✓ Neither Jack's friends nor Jack accepted his faults. (Jack is singular, closest)

Tip: To avoid confusion, place the plural subject closest to the pronoun — then the pronoun will be plural: Neither his friends nor Jack accepted their faults.

Rule 4: Avoid Double Negatives with Neither...nor

✗ Jack doesn't like neither tea nor coffee.

✓ Jack likes neither tea nor coffee.

✓ Jack doesn't like either tea or coffee.

Rule 5: Comma Usage

Don't use a comma when joining two simple items. However, if the correlative conjunctions join two independent clauses, a comma may be used.

✗ Neither your brother, nor your sister came here. (no comma needed)

✓ Neither your brother nor your sister came here.

✓ My sister not only cleaned her room, but she also washed the dishes. (two independent clauses, comma used)

🧠 Quick Summary of Rules

Parallel structure – same grammatical form after each part.
Subject-verb agreement – verb agrees with the nearer subject (except both...and which is always plural).
Pronoun agreement – pronoun agrees with the nearer subject (except both...and which is always plural).
No double negatives – don't use "don't/doesn't" with "neither...nor".
Comma use – only when joining independent clauses.

English is a language just like your mother tongue. While casual speech may ignore some rules, formal writing and speaking require these structures. Practice with your own sentences, and soon they'll become second nature.

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