Correlative conjunctions are pairs that work together: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or.
Use them to link two equal ideas: “You can have either cake or fruit.” “He neither called nor wrote.” “She is not only clever but also kind.”
Keep the two parts balanced. The words after each half should match in form: “both the hat and the scarf”, not “both the hat and to lose the scarf”. With either…or and neither…nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Worked example
Complete: “___ the bus ___ the train was on time.”
- Both were late, so we need a negative pair.
- Neither goes with nor.
Answer:Neither the bus nor the train was on time.
Key words
- correlative conjunction
- a pair of linking words
- balanced
- matching in form
- agree
- match in number
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.5.1e