Correlative conjunctions appear in pairs in a sentence to make positive connections (either…or) or negative connections (neither…nor).  Also, correlative conjunctions can signal addition (both…and; not only…but also).  Moreover, these word pairs can be used to indicate which one of two choices (whether…or). 

It is important to remember that when you use one part of the correlative conjunction, the corresponding part must be presented later in the sentence in order to keep the sentence grammatically balanced.

Additionally, the words and phrases that appear after both correlative conjunctions must be of the same grammatical form, whether they’re both –ing verbs, adjectives, past tense verbs, etc.  Otherwise, the sentence will not be parallel.

Ex.  I am going either to Italy or to Greece during the summer.

In the example above, the positive connection between deciding to go to Italy or to Greece is accomplished by including both portions of the either…or correlative conjunction.  In addition, “to Italy” or “to Greece” are both in the same grammatical form—prepositional phrases.  Therefore, this sentence is grammatically balanced and parallel.

Of course, negative connections must get the same treatment:  They must appear together in the sentence and precede the same parts of speech.

Ex.  Neither Mark nor Steve wants to go see a Broadway musical this weekend.

Now, take a look at a couple of sets of correlative conjunctions that identify addition:

Ex.  I enjoyed both watching the movie Greed and reading McTeague, the book upon which the movie was based.

Ex.  I not only watched the movie Greed, but I also read McTeague, the book upon which the movie was based.

When using correlative conjunctions to identify which one of two choices, such as in whether…or, note that not isn’t necessary and is, in fact, redundant.

Ex.  Because of her guilty conscience, Shelly couldn’t decide whether to tell her mother about her speeding ticket or to try to conceal her violation as long as possible.

Along with our website, we recommend the following site:  The Tongue Untied, presented by the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.  This Web site contains numbered weekly lessons about parts of speech, punctuation, and other matters of importance in writing.  The site also offers practice worksheets and quizzes so that visitors can identify their grammar strengths and weaknesses.

Test your understanding by reconstructing the following sentence sets.  Merge each pair of sentences into one sentence that contains the pair of correlative conjunctions inside the parenthesis.

1. Fritz Lang directed the movie Metropolis.  He directed M. (both, and)
2. I don’t want to live in Houston.  I don’t want to live in San Antonio. (neither, nor)
3. Shane can help with the party decoration.  He can shop for party supplies. (either, or)
4.  I can’t decide if I want to go to the museum.  I want to go to the theatre. (whether, or)

Answers
1. Fritz Lang directed both Metropolis and M.
2. I want to live neither in Houston nor in San Antonio.
3. Shane can either help with the party decorations or shop for party supplies.
4. I can’t decide whether to go to the museum or to the theatre.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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