What Are Correlative Conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are sort of like tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs, and you have to use
both of them in different places in a sentence to make them work. They get their name from the fact
that they work together (co-) and relate one sentence element to another. Correlative conjunctions
include pairs such as "both/and," "either/or," "neither/nor," "not/but" and "not only/but also." For
example:

 either/or - I want either the cheesecake or the chocolate cake.

 both/and - We'll have both the cheesecake and the chocolate cake.

 whether/or - I didn't know whether you'd want the cheesecake or the chocolate cake, so I got
both.

 neither/nor - Oh, you want neither the cheesecake nor the chocolate cake? No problem.

 not only/but also - I'll eat them both - not only the cheesecake but also the chocolate cake.

 not/but - I see you're in the mood not for desserts but appetizers. I'll help you with those, too.

Here are some more useful pairs of correlative conjunctions:

 as/as - Bowling isn't as fun as skeet shooting.

 such/that - Such was the nature of their volatile relationship that they never would have made it
even if they'd wanted to.

 scarcely/when - I had scarcely walked in the door when I got an urgent call and had to run right
back out again.

 as many/as - There are as many curtains as there are windows.

 no sooner/than - I'd no sooner lie to you than strangle a puppy.

 rather/than - She'd rather play the drums than sing.

A great way to practice these pairs is to flip through these correlative conjunctions flashcards until you
feel like you're a pro!

Correlative Conjunctions Hook It Up

Correlative conjunctions are more similar to coordinating conjunctions than to subordinating

conjunctions because the sentence fragments they connect are usually equal. Subordinating
conjunctions connect independent clauses and dependent clauses, which have very different functions.
Coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions, on the other hand, connect words and phrases
that carry equal weight in the sentence.

For example, "both/and" connects either two subjects or two objects:

 Both Jon and Lauren enjoyed the movie. (subjects)

 Jon enjoyed both the movie and the company. (objects)

"As/as" compares nouns using an adjective or an adverb:

 Peter is as tall as Jeff.

 A lion can't run as fast as a cheetah.

"Not only/but also" can connect nouns or entire clauses:

 I'm not only going to the concert, but also meeting the band backstage!

 Not only will I see your $10, but also raise you $20.
A correlative conjunction is a type of conjunction that functions in a pair, with both words working
together to balance words, phrases, or clauses.

 Both / and, Either / or, Hardly / when, If / then, Just as / so, Neither / nor, Not only / but also,
Rather / or, Whether / or

 Either you will eat your dinner or you will go to bed.

 He is neither employed nor looking for a job.

 Not only do I love this band, but I have also seen them in concert twice.

 Neither my friends nor my parents will join me at the movies

 Neither the teacher nor the students like their new textbooks.
 Every night, either loud music or fighting neighbors wake John from his sleep.

 She is both intelligent and beautiful.

 I will either go for a hike or stay home and watch TV.

 Jerry is neither rich nor famous.

 He is not only intelligent, but also very funny.

 Would you rather go shopping or spend the day at the beach?

1. She is neither polite nor funny.

2. If that is the case, then I’m not surprised about what’s happening.

3. Have you made a decision about whether to go to the movies or not?

4. No sooner had I put my umbrella away, then it started raining.

5. This salad is both delicious and healthy.

A. I like not only to sing opera, but also to spend my spare time practicing ballroom dances.

B. The test was both very short and quite easy.

D. Neither Joe nor his sisters could understand what their parents were saying when they spoke
French