Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are similar to coordinating conjunctions in that they connect parts of a sentence that are equal, or parallel. They are always used in pairs. Here we list the most common ones:

both—and
neither—nor

either—or
not only—but also

The parts that they join must be equal in form, or parallel. In the sentences below, the parallel elements are italicized.

  • Both the girls and the boys will participate in the soccer tournament.
  • Either Patti or Liz will finish the task.
  • Neither Ms. Grantsky nor Mr. Minnick can chaperone the dance.
  • Not only jeans but also sweatshirts are on sale at the mall.
  • The writings of Elbridge Gerry created both American recruitment and patriotic fervor.
  • Did either Samuel Adams or John Hancock serve with Gerry in the Second Continental Congress?
  • Neither John Langdon nor Nicholas Gilman had faith in the Articles of Confederation.
  • Not only the development of the Northwest Territory but also the retirement of the national debt concerned Elbridge Gerry.

Examples

Underline the correlative conjunctions in each sentence.

  1. Both ice cream and whipped cream taste good on top of pumpkin pie.
  2. Jack took not only a chemistry final but also a physics final today.
  3. The tourists wanted to visit either the arboretum or the observatory.
  4. Neither rain nor snow will keep me from traveling today.
  5. The new country needed both revenue and unity.
  6. Elbridge Gerry wanted neither a strong executive power nor an extensive court system.

Solutions

(a) Both ice cream and whipped cream taste good on top of pumpkin pie. 

(b) Jack took not only a chemistry final but also a physics final today. 

(c) The tourists wanted to visit either the arboretum or the observatory. 

(d) Neither rain nor snow will keep me from traveling today. 

(e) The new country needed both revenue and unity. 

(f) Elbridge Gerry wanted neither a strong executive power nor an extensive court system.