LBCC E-ESL Online Learning

What are correlative conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that are used to link words together.  The most important thing to remember when using correlative conjunctions is that the words, phrases, or clauses that are put together must be the same type.  That means that nouns must be put together with other nouns, verbs with other verbs, adjectives with other adjectives, and so on.  This point will be more fully explained following the list of frequently used correlative conjunctions.
 

List of frequently used correlative conjunctions

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

Examples of correlative conjunctions

• Both my sister and my brother work with computers.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "both ... and."  This correlative conjunction links together two words of the same type.  In this case, the types of words are the nouns, sister and brother.
 
• For dessert, you may have either cake or ice cream.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "either ... or."  This conjunction also links two nouns, cake and ice cream.
 
• She wanted neither cake nor ice cream.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "neither ... nor."  This conjunction links two nouns.
 
• He did not know whether to exit the freeway at Orange Avenue or to exit the freeway at Cherry Avenue.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "whether ... or."  This conjunction links twophrases.
 
• The ESL teachers are not only intelligent but also friendly.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "not only ... but."  This conjunction links two phrases.
 
• My dog doesn't smell as bad as your dog smells.

The correlative conjunction in this sentence is "as ... as."  This conjunction links two clauses.

Bad Examples

• The student is not only friendly but also a baker.

This is not correct because friendly is an adjective and baker is a noun.  A correlative conjunction must link similar types of words.
 
• The athlete did not know whether to run or walking in order to warm up.

This is not correct because, even though both are verbs, "to run" is the infinitive form and "walking" is the present participle.  A correlative conjunction must link similar types of words.

Test your ability to use correlative conjunctions

• Multiple choice
• Fill-in-the-blank