Correlative Conjunctions

​Correlative Conjunctions

​Correlative conjunctions

​Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to unite two parts of a sentence in a balanced way. These words are used to connect similar grammatical items within a sentence.
They help express an idea of choice, contrast or addition in a coordinated and balanced way.
They are:


either...or neither... or both.... and

Either... or

• "Either... or" is a correlative conjunction that indicates a choice between two options. For example, in "You can either go to the cinema or stay at home and watch TV", the person can choose between going to the cinema or staying at home and watching TV. Both options are presented as equally viable.

• ​"Either... or" is used to indicate a choice between two options, where both are treated as equally valid, and only one can be chosen.​

Multiple Choice

1)  a) You can ____ eat pizza ____ pasta for dinner.​

• neither... not

• both... and

• either... and

• either... or

​Neither... nor

• ​Used to present two alternatives/situations/people in affirmative sentences with a negative meaning.

• Examples:

• Neither Adam nor Mike studied for the test. (people)

  She will neither play basketball nor play hockey. (situations)

  Neither the blue dress nor the pink dress were chosen. (alternatives)

Multiple Choice

2) ____ Bianca ____ Mary wants to read fantasy. They prefer a self-help.

• Neither... nor

• Either... and

• both... and

• Either... or

​Both... and

• ​This conjunction shows that it is not just one member who is present, but both. For example: "Both Sarah and John attended the meeting." This implies that both Sarah and John were at the meeting, not just one of them.

• ​Simultaneous presence or occurrence of two things: When used with verbs, "both... and" suggests that the actions happen simultaneously. For example: "She both works and studies." This means that she does both at the same time.​

• Expressing likeness or resemblance: "Both... and" is used when the two parts of the sentence are equally significant or have a similar relationship. For example: "The project requires both time and dedication." Here", "time" and "dedication" are equally necessary for the project.​​

Multiple Choice

3) He is ____ intelligent ____ hardworking.​

• either... or

• both... and

• neither... nor

​Verb Agreement

• ​If the correlative conjunctions link two singular subjects,the verb is also singular:​ Neither Bianca nor Wesley likes sci-fi novels.

• If  the  subjects are plural, the verb is also plural: In Bianca’s class, neither the girls nor the boys are into horror stories.

• ​If the second subjects is plural ,then the verb is also plural: Neither Bianca nor her two best friends are Western fans.

​Pronoum Agreement

• ​If there are two subjects, the pronouns agree with the second subject: Neither Bianca nor Wesley understands why his classmates don’t like reading.

​Exercises

Multiple Choice

4) ____ he will come to the party ____ he will stay at home.​

• Either...or
• Neither... and

• Both... and

• Neither... nor

Multiple Choice

•  6) She can ____ study French ____ Spanish for her elective class.​

• neither... nor

• both... and

• either... or

• either... and

Multiple Choice

• 8) ______  Annie ______ Adrien were invited to the party.​

• both... and

• either... or

• both... or

• either... and

Multiple Choice

10) The weather is mild today. It is _____ hot _____ cold.

• neither... nor

• both... and

• either... or