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Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs -- you
use them to link equivalent
sentence elements. The most common correlative conjunctions are "both...and,"
"either...or," "neither...nor,", "not only...but also," "so...as," and "whether...or."
(Technically correlative conjunctions consist simply of a coordinating conjunction
linked
to an adjective or adverb.)
The
highlighted words in the following sentences are correlative conjunctions:
Both my grandfather
and my father worked in the steel plant.
In
this sentence, the correlative conjunction "both...and" is used
to link the two noun
phrases that act as the compound subject of the sentence: "my grandfather" and "my
father".
Bring
either a Jello salad
or a potato scallop.
Here the correlative conjunction "either...or" links two noun phrases: "a Jello salad" and
"a potato scallop."
Corinne is trying to decide
whether to
go to medical school or to
go to law
school.
Similarly, the correlative conjunction "whether ... or" links the two infinitive phrases "to
go to medical school" and "to go to law school."
The explosion
destroyed not only the school
but also the neighbouring pub.
In this example the correlative conjunction "not only ... but also" links the two noun
phrases ("the school" and "neighbouring pub") which act as direct objects.