Correct Usage of Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect two similar items in a sentence. They include neither...nor, either...or, not only...but also, both...and, and more. Using them correctly requires understanding parallel structure, subject-verb agreement, and proper placement. Let's master them with clear rules and plenty of examples.
1. Neither...nor
Meaning: Used to negate two possibilities. Both elements are not true.
1) John attended neither the 1st meeting nor the 2nd meeting.
2) Neither my mom nor my dad is interested in this project.
3) Jimmy is neither rich nor famous.
4) Neither Tom nor John enjoys playing football.
5) I have neither the time nor the patience for this.
Examples:
โข Neither does he understand nor does he care.
โข Neither did John attend the 1st meeting nor did he attend the 2nd.
2. Not only...but also
Meaning: Adds emphasis to two related pieces of information.
1) Jack loves not only his parents but also his friends.
2) He is not only intelligent but also very funny.
3) Nancy not only finished her cooking, but she also cleaned the kitchen.
4) Not only did she forget my birthday, but she also didn't apologise.
โข Not only was it raining, but also the band was late.
โข Not only does he speak English, but he also speaks French.
Note: When but begins a second independent clause, the subject comes between but and also.
Structural Patterns
a) Subject + Verb + Not Only + Adjective|Adverb|Noun + But Also + Adjective|Adverb|Noun
He is not only arrogant but also selfish.
She is not only a novelist but also a poet.
John works not only quickly but also efficiently.
b) Subject + Not Only + Verb + But Also + Verb
He not only can read but also can speak English.
He not only reads but also writes poems.
3. Both...and
Meaning: Used to join two similar ideas, emphasizing that both are true or included.
1) Both John and Jack made the same mistake.
2) She is both intelligent and beautiful.
3) Both my brother and my sister like pizza.
4) She both cleaned her room and washed the dishes.
5) Both my mother and my father are bookworms.
Incorrect: Both James has completed his homework and Julee has finished her cooking.
Correct: James has completed his homework and Julee has finished her cooking. (No both needed.)
4. Either...or
Meaning: Presents a choice between two possibilities.
1) Either John or his brother will go there. [Correct]
2) Tom will learn either English or French. [Correct]
3) Marry will either sing or dance. [Correct]
4) Jack will buy either a car or a bike. [Correct]
Incorrect: Either Tom will learn English or French. (Misplaced either.)
5. Whether...or
Meaning: Expresses doubt or choice between alternatives.
1) I'm not sure whether you should do that or not.
2) I'm not sure whether you should join this job or wait for another.
Essential Rules for Correlative Conjunctions
A) Parallel Structure
The most important rule: the items connected by correlative conjunctions must be grammatically similar (same word class or phrase type).
Correct: She is both intelligent and beautiful. (adjective + adjective)
Incorrect: She is both intelligent and works hard. (adjective vs verb phrase)
Correct: I'm not sure whether the white shirt or the blue shirt would be better. (noun phrase + noun phrase)
Incorrect: I'm not sure whether a white shirt or wearing a blue shirt would be better. (noun phrase vs verb phrase)
Correct: Jack will buy either a car or a bike.
Incorrect: Either Jack will buy a car or a bike.
B) Subject-Verb Agreement
1) Two singular subjects โ singular verb
โ Neither my brother nor my sister likes pizza.
โ Neither my brother nor my sister like pizza.
โ Not only John but also Jack wants to learn English.
Exception: With both...and, use a plural verb even with singular subjects.
โ Both my sister and my brother are going to London tonight.
2) Two plural subjects โ plural verb
โ Neither my brothers nor my sisters are coming home tonight.
3) One singular + one plural โ verb agrees with nearest subject
โ Neither my brothers nor my sister likes coffee. (sister is singular, nearest)
โ Both my sister and my brothers like tea. (brothers is plural, nearest)
C) Pronoun Agreement
1) Two singular subjects โ singular pronoun
โ Not only George but also Jack lost his mobile.
โ Neither George nor Jack completed his homework.
Exception: With both...and, use a plural pronoun.
โ Both George and Jack completed their homework.
2) Two plural subjects โ plural pronoun
โ Not only my friends but also your friends lost their mobiles.
3) One singular + one plural โ pronoun agrees with nearest subject
โ Neither Jack nor his friends accepted their faults. (friends plural)
โ Neither Jack's friends nor Jack accepted his faults. (Jack singular)
D) Avoid Double Negatives with "Neither...nor"
Incorrect: Jack doesn't like neither tea nor coffee.
Correct: Jack likes neither tea nor coffee.
Also correct: Jack doesn't like either tea or coffee.
E) Comma Usage
Use a comma only when correlative conjunctions join two independent clauses. Otherwise, no comma is needed.
No comma: Neither your brother nor your sister came here.
Comma: My sister not only cleaned her room, but she also washed the dishes. (two independent clauses)
๐ Points to Note
English is a language just like your mother tongue. The key is simple:
- Listen and Speak, Read and Write, Learn and Practice โ that's it. Always remember, practice makes us fit to achieve what we really want.
Don't Believe in Quantity, Believe in Quality. | Being unique is better than being perfect. | Don't Just Do It Well โ Do It Brilliantly!
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