Correlative Conjunctions — Definition and Examples
What is a correlative conjunction?
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that connect different items/ideas of equal importance in the same sentence. Pairs of correlative conjunctions work together to relate one part of a sentence to another and help avoid sentence fragments.
The most common correlative conjunction pairs include the following:
Both/and: Joins two equal items
Either/or: Connects two positive statements of equal weight
Neither/nor: Connects two negative statements of equal importance
Not only/but also: Emphasizes the connection between two items
Whether/or: Indicates two possible actions
Correlative conjunctions do not require commas unless one of the two parts of the sentence is an independent clause.
Correlative conjunction rules
When using correlative conjunctions, there are three English grammar rules to follow that ensure the verbs and pronouns in a sentence agree in form, and the sentence maintains parallel structure.
Subject/Verb Agreement
Singular Subject: When using a singular subject (whether a noun or noun phrase), the verb form must be singular.
Plural Subjects: When "and" connects two subjects, the verb form must be plural.
Incorrect: Both his mom and dad don't wants him to say out too late.
Using "and" makes mom and dad a plural subject; therefore, "wants" needs to be plural as well.
Correct: Both his mom and dad don’t want him to stay out too late.
Multiple Subjects: When "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also" connect two singular subjects, the verb is singular, whereas a plural verb would follow two plural subjects.
Incorrect: Neither his mom nor dad want him to stay out too late.
Using "nor" makes mom and dad singular subjects; therefore, the verb "want" needs to be singular as well.
Correct: Neither his mom nor dad wants him to stay out too late.
Singular and Plural Subjects: When "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also" connect a singular subject with a plural subject, the second subject determines the verb form.
Incorrect: Neither his mom nor his brothers wants him to stay out too late.
Since the subject closest to the verb (brothers) is plural, the verb is also plural.
Correct: Neither his mom nor his brothers want him to stay out too late.
Pronoun Agreement
When connecting two antecedents with a correlative conjunction, the pronoun must agree with the closest antecedent.
Singular: Neither the pigs nor the horse enjoyed its new enclosure.
The second antecedent is closest to the pronoun (horse) and is singular; therefore, the pronoun (its) is singular.
Plural: Neither the horse nor the pigs enjoyed their new enclosure.
The antecedent closest to the pronoun (pigs) is plural; therefore, the pronoun (their) is plural.
Parallel Structure
The items/ideas connected using correlative conjunctions must follow the same grammatical structure (verb and pronoun form) to balance the ideas in the sentence.
Incorrect: Paul enjoys both going to the movies and to ride his bike.
The verb forms of "going" and "ride" are not the same; therefore, the sentence structure is not parallel.
Correct: Paul enjoys both going to the movies and riding his bike.
Matching the verb forms makes the sentence parallel.
Correlative conjunctions examples
The following sentences incorporate examples of correlative conjunctions:
Either/or
Evan had to choose either Saturday or Sunday to take the SATs.
They were either going to drive across the country or find a cheap flight.
You can either fold the laundry or clean the kitchen.
Neither/nor
Neither Shaun nor Courtney wanted to stay up too late.
She likes neither apples nor bananas.
He thought the concert was neither too short nor too long.
Both/and
Both Ian and Jenny decided to apply to Notre Dame.
Why do you need both a pen and a pencil?
Both the dog and the cat hid during the thunderstorm.
Not only/but also
He worked not only all day but also all night.
Sara is not only a fantastic violinist but also an amazing cellist.
Trent is not only fluent in Spanish but also French.
Whether/or
Tony wasn't sure whether he wanted a truck or an SUV.
Georgia didn't know whether Steve was coming or not.
I'm not sure whether I should paint the garage or the basement first.