Correlative Conjunctions

B2 · Upper IntermediateConjunctions & Linking Words

She is both talented and hard-working. He speaks neither French nor Spanish. Paired words that work as a team.

What you'll learn

  • Correlative conjunctions come in pairs: both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or
  • The two parts joined by a correlative conjunction must have the same grammatical form (parallel structure)
  • With either...or and neither...nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it
  • Not only...but also can sound more emphatic when 'not only' starts the sentence, with inverted word order

Conjunctions that come in pairs

Unlike a single coordinating conjunction like 'and,' a correlative conjunction uses two connected words that work together to join two grammatically equal elements.

"She is both talented and hard-working."
"He speaks neither French nor Spanish."

Parallel structure

The two parts joined by a correlative conjunction must match grammatically — both nouns, both verbs in the same form, both phrases of the same type. Mismatched forms sound awkward or ungrammatical.

"He not only writes novels but also directs films. (verb + verb)"
"She is not only a doctor but also a writer. (noun + noun)"

Subject-verb agreement with either/neither

With either...or and neither...nor joining two different subjects, the verb agrees with whichever subject is closer to it — not necessarily the first one.

"Neither the manager nor the employees were happy."
"Either the players or the coach is responsible."

Real English

"Both the design and the price convinced me to buy it."
"You can either call me or send a message."
"Neither the flight nor the hotel was refundable."
"Not only did she finish first, but she also broke the record."

Watch out

✗She not only enjoys reading but also to write.
✓She not only enjoys reading but also writes.

Both parts of a correlative conjunction need matching grammatical form — here, both need to be plain verbs, not one verb and one infinitive.

✗You can have either tea and coffee.
✓You can have either tea or coffee.

'Either' pairs with 'or,' never 'and.'

✗Neither the cat nor the dogs was fed.
✓Neither the cat nor the dogs were fed.

The verb agrees with the subject closer to it — here, the plural 'dogs,' so the verb is plural.

Real life — Planning a menu

"What should we serve — pasta or a salad?"

"Let's do both — a pasta dish and a salad."

"Good idea. And for dessert, either cake or fruit."

"Neither one is wrong — let's just get both and let people choose."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 5 · Choose the parallel sentence

Choose the correct sentence (parallel structure).

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct verb form

Choose the correct sentence: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ___ happy with the change.'

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct verb form

Choose the correct sentence: 'Either the players or the coach ___ responsible.'

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 9 · Join using 'both...and'

Join using 'both...and': 'She is smart. She is kind.'

Exercise 10 · Join using 'neither...nor'

Join using 'neither...nor': 'He doesn't like coffee. He doesn't like tea.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

both...and
either...or
neither...nor
not only...but also
whether...or
and

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • Correlative conjunctions come in fixed pairs: both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or.
  • The two joined parts must have matching grammatical form (parallel structure).
  • With either...or / neither...nor, the verb agrees with the closer subject.
  • 'Not only' can start a sentence for emphasis, with inverted word order.

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