What are correlative conjunctions? (with examples)

What are correlative conjunctions? (with examples)

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to link equivalent elements in a sentence.

The most common are:

• Either or
• neither nor
• not only but also
• like… like that
• no but

Easy examples of correlative conjunctions

Remember that correlative conjunctions unite equivalent elements.

• Either you go big or you go home.
  (The equivalent elements that link are go big and go home. They are both verbs.)
• He was neither big nor intelligent.
  (The equivalent elements are big and smart. Both are adjectives.)
• Not only the television was stolen but also the satellite dish.
  (The equivalent elements are television and satellite dish. Both are nouns. Well, noun phrases to be precise.)
• The light was not green but red.

The key learning point in these examples is that correlative conjunctions link equivalent elements.

Real life examples of correlative conjunctions

• Flowers are soothing to look at. They have no emotions or conflicts. (Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud)
• Education is not only filling a bucket , but also lighting a fire. (Irish poet William Butler Yeats)
• It is not death but dyingthat is terrible. (Author Henry Fielding)

Why should I care about correlative conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are useful for keeping your writing succinct. They not only provide a succinct structure for saying two things, but also express how those two things relate to each other. Correlative conjunctions generally don’t cause native English speakers too much pain, but there are four notable problems associated with correlative conjunctions.

(Issue 1) Maintain a parallel structure.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs. You must use the same type of word after each one in the pair.

• Lee not only likes cakes but also cakes. ❌
  (Here, the first conjunction of the pair sits before a verb (I like it), but the second one sits before a noun (cakes). It’s not parallel. It’s messy.)
• You should sell your watch or your car. ❌
  (Here, the first conjunction sits before a verb (sell), but the second sits before a noun (your car). It’s not parallel. Messy.)
• Lee not only likes cakes but also cakes.✔️
• You should sell your watch or your car. ✔️
  (In these examples, the first and second conjunctions come before the nouns. Both examples now have parallel structures. Ordered.)
• Lee not only likes cakes , but also cakes.✔️
• You should pawn your watch or sell your car. ✔️
  (In these examples, the first and second conjunctions come before the verbs. Parallel. Ordered.)

In truth, few people would describe a non-parallel structure with correlative conjunctions as a serious mistake, and you are very unlikely to create ambiguity if you make that mistake.“crime“. However, try to use parallel terms because, firstly, parallel structures are easier to read, and secondly, you will feel comfortable knowing that your sentence structure is sound.

(Problem 2) Don’t use commas with correlative conjunctions. (Watch out for exceptions!)

Sometimes writers are unsure about using a comma with correlative conjunctions. This question comes up most often with not only/but also pairing. Here’s the rule: don’t use commas with correlative conjunctions.

• Lee not only likes cakes, but cakes too.❌

Unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Here’s the exception: if the second conjunction comes before an independent clause (ie words that could be an independent sentence), then use a comma.

• As a father pities his children, so God pities those who fear him. (Bible, Psalm 103:13)✔️

It is rare for an independent clause to follow a correlative conjunction, but it does happen, especially with the not only/but also pairing.

• Lee doesn’t just like cakes, but she also likes cakes. ✔️
  (Note that the subject of the independent clause (he) is divided but also. This is necessary because the word but plays two roles. We know that it is part of the correlative conjunction not only/but also, but, in this sentence, it is also a coordinating conjunction. Remember that coordinating conjunctions (for example, and, or, but) are used to join similar elements. Here, two independent clauses are joined).

Also, note that you may find yourself using a comma before a correlative conjunction because the comma is needed for another reason.

• Lee not only likes cakes, especially cheese and onion, but also cakes.
  (Here, commas are specially offset by cheese and onion, which is just extra information (called parentheses). So, the previous comma, but it also has nothing to do with correlative conjunctions.)

(Subject 3) Be careful with subject-verb agreement.

When the pairing or/or or none/nor appears in the subject of a verb, the verb is singular if both elements are singular.

• Neither the inspector nor the sheriff were available for comment. ✔️
  (Both elements (the inspector and the bailiff) are singular, so the verb (was) is singular, ie using were would be incorrect.)

However, things get complicated if one of the elements is plural because there are two conventions:

Convention 1: The Proximity Rule. Under this convention, the element closest to the verb determines whether it is singular or plural.

• Neither the inspector nor the agents were available for comment.
  (The element closest to the verb (constables) is plural, so the verb (were) is plural.)

Convention 2: The Logic Rule. According to this convention, if any of the elements is in the plural, the verb is in the plural.

• Neither the inspector nor the agents were available for comment.
  (Here, the first item (checkers) is plural, so the verb is plural. This would be wrong when using the proximity rule.)

So, should you use the proximity rule or the logical rule if one of your elements is plural? Well, both are common, so the quick answer is to pick one and be consistent. But there is a much better answer: satisfy both rules at once. If one of your elements is plural, deliberately place it closer to the verb.

• OR the parakeets or the cat have to go.
  (This is correct under the Logic Rule but incorrect under the Proximity Rule).
• Or the cat or the parakeets have to go.
  (Here, the plural element is closest to the verb. This is now correct under both rules. Winner.)
  All of this applies to or by itself (ie without either).

All of this applies to or by itself (ie without either).

(Issue 4) Don’t forget that neither plays a negative role.

Note that neither/nor plays a negative role in your sentence. Be careful not to use a double negative.

• We are not discussing neither the flood nor the landslide. ❌
  (This is a double negative.)

Remember that two negatives make a positive. So the above example means that the flood and landslide were discussed, which would not have been the intended meaning (hence the ). Here are two better options:

• We are not discussing neither the flood or the landslide.✔️
• We are not talking neither about the flood or the landslide.✔️

Key Points

• Place your correlative conjunctions in your sentence so that the same type of word follows each one. In other words, use a parallel structure.
• Do not use a comma with a correlative conjunction unless the words that follow can be an independent sentence (that is, they contain a subject, a verb, and convey a complete idea).
• Treat a subject presenting either/or or none/nor as singular if the elements after the conjunctions are singular. If one is plural, put it closer to the verb and use a plural verb.
• Do not use a negative verb with neither/nor otherwise you will create a double negative.