SENTENCE TYPES:  Compound Sentences B

Correlative Conjunctions

Before we move on to complex sentences, we will consider another type of conjunction called the correlative conjunction.  Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions with two parts. They correlate or relate together two parallel parts of a sentence or join two independent clauses.  Correlative conjunctions allow writers to create sentences that have balanced elements, but they should not be overused.  They belong more to the realm of formal writing than informal writing.  The most common correlative conjunctions are:

either…or    neither…nor    not only…but also    both…and

Each correlative conjunction holds meaning just as coordinate conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs do.  In our study, we will consider the correlatives in relation to how they join similar structures and how they connect independent clauses. 

Either…Or

Either…or indicates choice. 

Connecting Independent Clauses:
a) 2 Simple Sentences:
You must tell me the complete truth.  You will face dire consequences.
Example: Either you must tell me the truth, or you will face dire consequences.

 
b) 2 Simple Sentences:
I will adjust your bill.  I will give you a refund.
Example: Either I will adjust your bill, or I will give you a refund. 

 

Connecting Similar Structures:
a) 2 Simple Sentences
You must tell me the truth.  You will face dire consequences.
Example: You must either tell me the truth or face dire consequences.

 
b) 2 Simple Sentences
I will adjust your bill.  I will give you a refund.
Example: I will either adjust your bill or give you a refund. 

 

When using either…or to connect similar structures, you must place either as close as possible to what it is identifying:
Correct:  I can phone either your aunt or your uncle.
Incorrect: I can either phone your aunt or your uncle.

 
Punctuation
When connecting two independent clauses with this correlative, use a comma after the first independent clause.  Do not use a comma when connecting similar structures.

 
Subject-Verb Agreement with Either…or

 
Singular subjects joined by either…or take a singular verb.
Example:  Either my sister or I am going to the graduation.

 
When both subjects are plural, the verb is plural after or.
Example: Either my uncles or my aunts are going to the graduation.

 
If one subject is singular and the other subject is plural, the verb must agree with the subject that is closest to it. 
Example: Either my sisters or I am going to the graduation.
Example: Either my mother or my sisters are going to the graduation. 

 
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Neither…Nor
Neither…nor indicates negative addition and means “not one or the other.”  Keep in mind that neither…nor  requires question word order.

 
Connecting Independent Clauses with neither…nor
a) 2 Simple Sentences
Wealth is not important to me.  Fame is not important to me.
Example: Neither is wealth important to me, nor is fame important to me.

 
b)  2 Simple Sentences
Mario has not arrived.  He has not phoned.
Example: Neither has Mario arrived, nor has he phoned.

 

When connecting two independent clauses with this correlative, after neither and nor, you must use question form.

 

Connecting Similar Structures (more commonly done with this correlative)
a)  2 Simple Sentences
Wealth is not important to me.  Fame is not important to me.
Example:  Neither wealth nor fame is important to me.

 
b) 2 Simple Sentences
Mario has not arrived.  He has not phoned.
Example: Mario has neither arrived nor called.

 

The punctuation and subject-verb agreement rules are the same as those for either…or.

 

Not Only…But Also

 

This correlative conjunction indicates addition.

 

Connecting Independent Clauses

 

There are a few ways to use this correlative.  We will look at the two most frequently used patterns.

 
#1. But… also is kept together.
2 Simple Sentences
We need a new washing machine.  We need a new stove.
Example:

Not only do we need a new washing machine, but also we need a new stove.

 
#2. The subject or the subject plus verb separates but… also.
Examples:
a)

Not only do we need a new washing machine, but we also need a new stove
b)  Not only is our stove undependable, but it is also ugly.

Please note that we use question word order after not only.

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Connecting Similar Structures
a) 2 Simple Sentences
That textbook is boring.  It is complex.
Example: That textbook is not only boring but also complex.

 
b)  2 Simple Sentences
He’s a diligent student.  He’s an inquisitive student.
Example: He is not only a diligent student but also an inquisitive one. 

Please note that  not…only  and  but…also  must be as close as possible to the structures they identify.  Do not separate  but…also  when connecting similar structures. 

 

Both…And

 

This correlative indicates addition. It is usually used to connect similar structures and rarely connects independent clauses.
a) 2 Simple Sentences
There is more food in the freezer.  There is more food in the storage room.
Example: There is more food both in the freezer and in the storage room.

 
b) 2 Simple Sentences
I have been having trouble with my landlord. I have been having trouble with my supervisor.
Example: I have been having trouble both with my landlord and my supervisor.

 

Subject/Verb Agreement

Subjects joined by this correlative always take a plural verb.

 
a) 2 Simple Sentences
My brothers are arriving shortly.  My sisters are arriving shortly.
Example: Both my brothers and my sisters are arriving shortly.

 
b) 2 Simple Sentences
My brother is arriving shortly.  My sister is arriving shortly.
Example: Both my brother and my sister are arriving shortly. 

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Parallelism

Keep in mind that when you are connecting similar structures it is important to pay attention to parallelism.

  1. I am neither angry nor am I jealous.  (two adjectives)

  1. My cousin is either indifferent or bored.  (two adjectives)

  1. Both the administration and the student body are upset with the changes. (two nouns)

  1. She not only swims but also jogs.  (two verbs)

For further information, check the Parallelism section in the Grammar menu.

Below are some exercises to give you practice using correlative conjunctions.

Exercise 1

Combine the following sentences using correlative conjunctions.  The information in parentheses indicates whether to connect them using similar structures or as independent clauses.  When there is more than one pattern for combining, you need only choose one.

  1. I was accepted at a prestigious university.  I was granted a full scholarship.   (independent clauses).

  1. I didn’t want to exhaust my savings.  I didn’t want to apply for a student loan.  (independent clauses).

  1. My parents were thrilled.  My teachers were thrilled.  (similar structures)

  1. I could live in student housing.  I could live off-campus.  (similar structures)

  1. Academic skills are important to me.  Friendships are important to me.  (similar structures)

ANSWER KEY - Sentence Types:  Compound Sentences B

Exercise 1

  1. Not only was I accepted at a prestigious university, but I was also granted a full scholarship.    OR     Not only was I accepted at a prestigious university, but also I was granted a full scholarship.

  1. I didn’t want to exhaust my savings, nor did I want to apply for a student loan.

  1. Both my parents and my teachers were thrilled.

  1. I could live either in student housing or off-campus.

  1. Both academic skills and friendships are important to me.

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Exercise 2

Some of the sentences below have errors in correlative usage, while others are correct.  Put a C next to those that are correct and rewrite those that are wrong.

  1. _____  My gifted uncle not only repairs appliances but invents them also. 

  1. _____  Neither his coworkers nor his boss recognize his talents.

  1. _____  He can either continue with his job or look for a more satisfying one.

  1. _____  Not only can he find more meaningful work, but also he can draw a higher salary

  1. _____  My uncle is neither content nor finds stimulation in his present work.

  1. _____  Both his parents and his wife is urging him to resign. 

  1. _____  My uncle can be either self-employed or work in a company again.

 

ANSWER KEY - Sentence Types:  Compound Sentences B

Exercise 2

  1. My gifted uncle not only repairs appliances but also invents them. 

  2. Neither his coworkers nor his boss recognizes his talents.

  3. Correct

  4. Correct

  5. My uncle is neither content nor stimulated in his present work.

  6. Both his parents and his wife are urging him to resign.

  7. My uncle can either be self-employed or work in a company again.

 

 

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