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- Correlative conjunctions are pairs that work together (e.g. either...or).
- The words after each part must be parallel — the same grammatical form.
- With either...or and neither...nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
- Not only...but also adds emphasis and can trigger inversion when starting a sentence.
- Common pairs: both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or.
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Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to join elements of a sentence — pairs like both...and, either...or, neither...nor and not only...but also. They are powerful for showing relationships between ideas, but they require careful attention to parallel structure and subject-verb agreement. This guide explains each pair with clear rules and examples.
The Main Pairs
The most common correlative conjunctions come in fixed pairs.
Common Pairs
| Pair | Function |
|---|---|
| both...and | adds two items together |
| either...or | offers two alternatives |
| neither...nor | negates two items |
| not only...but also | adds with emphasis |
| whether...or | presents two possibilities |
Parallel Structure
The elements joined by each part of the pair must be grammatically parallel — both nouns, both verbs, both phrases, and so on.
✓ She is both intelligent and hard-working. (two adjectives)
✗ She is both intelligent and works hard. (adjective + clause)
Subject-Verb Agreement
With either...or and neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject that is nearer to it.
Neither the manager nor the staff were informed. (nearer = staff, plural)
Neither the staff nor the manager was informed. (nearer = manager, singular)
Not Only...But Also
Not only...but also adds a second, often more surprising point with emphasis. The also can sometimes be dropped, and but alone can carry the meaning.
She is not only a teacher but also a published author.
Emphatic Inversion
When not only begins a sentence for emphasis, the subject and auxiliary verb invert, as in a question.
Not only did she pass the exam, but she also won a prize.
Common Mistakes
The most common error is breaking parallel structure, joining a noun to a clause or a verb to a phrase. Another is getting subject-verb agreement wrong with either...or and neither...nor; remember the verb follows the nearer subject. A third is mixing pairs, such as neither...or instead of neither...nor. Keeping the pairs intact and parallel solves most problems.
Using Them in Writing
Correlative conjunctions are especially useful in writing, where they add balance and emphasis. Used well, they make sentences feel deliberate and persuasive; used carelessly, they can sound clumsy. Compare these versions.
✗ The plan is cheap and it is also fast and people like it. (flat, repetitive)
✓ The plan is not only cheap and fast but also popular. (balanced, emphatic)
Notice how the correlative pair groups related ideas and signals which point the writer wants to stress. To use them effectively, keep the two halves parallel, place the pairs close to the words they join, and avoid overusing them — one or two well-chosen pairs in a paragraph are far more powerful than a string of them. In academic and persuasive writing, a single not only...but also at the right moment can lift an otherwise ordinary sentence.
Correlative conjunctions also help you control emphasis and avoid ambiguity. Both...and stresses that two things are equally true, either...or makes clear that only one option applies, and neither...nor firmly rules both out. Choosing the right pair therefore does more than join words — it tells the reader exactly how the ideas relate. When you revise a piece of writing, look for places where two short, repetitive sentences could be combined with a single correlative pair: the result is usually tighter, clearer and more confident, which is precisely the impression you want to give in an essay or report.
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