{"id":5838,"date":"2022-02-23T06:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T12:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/?p=5838"},"modified":"2022-02-21T13:58:54","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T19:58:54","slug":"correlative-conjunctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/definitions\/correlative-conjunctions\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Correlative Conjunctions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses. The two types of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions<\/a> and subordinating conjunctions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Correlative conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions used in pairs. They connect two items of equal rank and grammatical unit. Some common correlative conjunctions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
either\u2026or<\/em><\/td>\nneither\u2026nor<\/em><\/td>\nboth\u2026and<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
not only\u2026but also<\/em><\/td>\nas\u2026so<\/em><\/td>\nrather\u2026than<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
not\u2026but<\/em><\/td>\nwhether\u2026or<\/em><\/td>\nas many\u2026as<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We’ll go to either<\/u> the park or<\/u> the library.<\/p>\n

Katy is both<\/u> smart and<\/u> funny.<\/p>\n

Bob would rather<\/u> watch grass grow than<\/u> iron his shirts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Correlative conjunctions provide a succinct structure that lets you express relations between items.<\/p>\n

How to Use Correlative Conjunctions<\/h2>\n

Ensuring parallelism is important when using correlative conjunctions. Consider the following sentences:<\/p>\n

Tonight’s lecture will address both<\/u> how to manage your time and<\/u> your schedule.<\/em><\/p>\n

The referees can neither<\/u> decide on the right call, nor<\/u> can they agree on who committed the foul.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We probably understand what these statements are saying, but they are not concise because they are not parallel.<\/p>\n

The first sentence uses a correlative conjunction to pair a phrase (how to manage your time<\/em>) and a noun (schedule<\/em>).<\/p>\n

The second connects a verb (decide<\/em>) and a clause (they agree on who committed the foul<\/em>). The repetition of the auxiliary can <\/em>further clouds the construction.<\/p>\n

Now let’s look the same sentences after revising them to be parallel:<\/p>\n

Tonight’s lecture will address how to manage both<\/u> your time<\/u> and<\/u> your schedule<\/u>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The referees can neither<\/u> decide<\/u> on the right call nor<\/u> agree<\/u> on who committed the foul.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We have made them clearer by pairing units of equal rank and type: time <\/em>and schedule<\/em> (nouns), decide <\/em>and agree<\/em> (verbs).<\/p>\n

Correlative Conjunctions: Other Grammatical Units<\/h2>\n

In addition to pairing nouns, verbs, and adjectives, correlative conjunctions can join other grammatical elements.<\/p>\n

Adverbs<\/strong>
\nArchie cuts hair neither<\/em> properly<\/u> nor<\/em> evenly<\/u>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prepositional phrases<\/strong>
\nThe book is not<\/em> in the bookcase<\/u> but<\/em> on the desk<\/u>.<\/p>\n

Independent clauses<\/strong>
\nNot only<\/em> did Native Americans invent the kayak and the toboggan<\/u>, but <\/em>they<\/u> also<\/em> created the sport now known as lacrosse<\/u>.<\/p>\n

Dependent clauses<\/strong>
\nBoth<\/em> how the moose entered the park<\/u> and<\/em> why it traveled so far<\/u> were questions on the ranger’s mind.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Correlative Conjunctions: Subject-Verb Agreement<\/h2>\n

Verbs in correlative conjunctions will typically agree with the subject that is closest to the verb unless the correlative conjunction is both\u2026and<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Neither the dog<\/u> nor the cat<\/u> is<\/u> sleeping right now.
\nNeither the dog<\/u> nor the cats<\/u> are<\/u> sleeping right now.
\nNeither the cats<\/u> nor the dog<\/u> is<\/u> sleeping right now.<\/p>\n

Both the dog<\/u> and the cat<\/u> are<\/u> sleeping right now.
\nBoth the dog<\/u> and the cats<\/u> are<\/u> sleeping right now.
\nBoth the cats<\/u> and the dog<\/u> are<\/u> sleeping right now.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If constructions with a singular verb following both a plural and a singular subject sound awkward to you (e.g., neither the cats<\/u> nor the dog<\/u> is<\/u> sleeping right now<\/em>), you can choose to always place the plural subject nearest to the verb (neither the dog<\/u> nor the cats<\/u> are<\/u> sleeping right now<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Correlative Conjunctions: Punctuation<\/h2>\n

Correlative conjunctions might sometimes make us feel that we should include punctuation.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Shane is not<\/u> aloof, but<\/u> stoic.<\/p>\n

Grace not only<\/u> paints portraits, but also<\/u> writes stories.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Such punctuation for pause and emphasis can be understood as a matter of writer style and preference in formats such as fiction and personal correspondence. In daily formal writing, however, we would not punctuate these constructions:<\/p>\n

Shane is not<\/u> aloof but<\/u> stoic.<\/em><\/p>\n

Grace not only<\/u> paints portraits but also<\/u> writes stories.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The exception to this is when the second part of the correlative conjunction introduces an independent clause.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As<\/u> Sonia thinks, so<\/u> will she typically act.<\/em><\/p>\n

Either<\/u> we will build a birdhouse, or<\/u> we will chop wood for the fire.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not only<\/u> will the leaves soon change colors, but<\/u> they also<\/u> will fall to the ground. <\/em>(Note that they<\/em> splits the correlative component but also<\/em>; in this construction, but <\/em>is further operating as a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses. The separation is needed to maintain parallelism.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Related Topics<\/h3>\n

Simple Words, Fancy Label<\/a>
\nPracticing Parallelism<\/a><\/p>\n

Pop Quiz<\/h2>\n

Identify the correlative conjunctions in the following sentences and determine if they are parallel or not parallel. If not, make them parallel.<\/p>\n

1. That was both a long walk and tiring. [parallel \/ not parallel]<\/p>\n

2. The Admirals are not only fast but also a strong team. [parallel \/ not parallel]<\/p>\n

3. Would you rather see the blues band than stopping by the reggae club? [parallel \/ not parallel]<\/p>\n

4. Not one but two ravens perched on top of the gas grill today. [parallel \/ not parallel]<\/p>\n

5. As many boys as girls will attend the summer band camp. [parallel \/ not parallel]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n

1. That was both<\/u> a long walk and<\/u> tiring. not parallel<\/strong>
\nRevision:<\/strong> That walk was both long and tiring. <\/em>(parallel adjectives)<\/p>\n

2. The Admirals are not only<\/u> fast but also<\/u> a strong team. not parallel<\/strong>
\nRevision:<\/strong> The Admirals are not only fast but also strong.<\/em> (parallel adjectives)<\/p>\n

3. Would you rather<\/u> see the blues band than<\/u> stopping by the reggae club? not parallel<\/strong>
\nRevision:<\/strong> Would you rather see the blues band than stop by the reggae club? <\/em>(parallel verbs)<\/p>\n

4. Not<\/u> one but<\/u> two ravens perched on top of the gas grill today. parallel<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. As many<\/u> boys as<\/u> girls will attend the summer band camp. parallel<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses. The two types of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Correlative conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions used in pairs. They connect two items of equal rank and grammatical unit. Some common correlative conjunctions include: either\u2026or neither\u2026nor both\u2026and not only\u2026but also as\u2026so rather\u2026than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[74,13,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clauses-sentences","category-commas","category-definitions"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5838"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5838"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5842,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5838\/revisions\/5842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}