Correlative Conjunctions
Definition :
Some conjunctions are used in pairs. Conjunctions which are thus used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions or Merely Correlative.
Conjunctions which are used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions. A term used of a construction in which two parts of a sentence are linked together by two words – one word belonging to one part and the other word belonging to the other.
Some Important Correlative Conjunctions
e.g.
| both and | not ... but | neither... nor |
| either ... or | not only... but also | whether... or |
| though ... yet | | |
Although some of these conjunctions can stand on their own, when used in a correlative sense, both words must be present:
e.g.
| Not only ... but also |
|---|
| Mr.Rao not only smokes but also drinks |
| He not only acts but also writes his own plays |
| Dad not only washed the car, but he also polished it |
| Maria not only skis but also snowboards |
| He not only robbed the poor child but also murdered her |
| Either ... or |
|---|
| Either you want to go or you don’t |
| You must either pay the bill at once or return the goods |
| It is either a parrot or a crow |
| Either you or he has to go to the market |
| You can do your homework either now or after dinner |
| Whether ... or |
|---|
| Only God knows whether he is alive or dead |
| I will see him whether you like it or not |
| It all depends on whether it rains or not |
| She couldn’t decide whether to stay in bed or get up and take a shower |
| Do you know whether Luke or Robin are coming to dinner? |
| Both ... and |
|---|
| She speaks both English and French |
| Both popcorn and peanuts are popular snacks at sporting events |
| Both the manager and the clerk were happy |
| Sam ran faster than both Jems and David |
| Both His sister and brother are married |
| Though ... yet |
|---|
| Though he is suffering a lot, yet he does not complain |
| Neither ... nor |
|---|
| It is neither useful nor ornamental |
| Neither her sister nor her mother was there |
| He is neither a knave nor a fool |
| Neither Jack nor Jill enjoyed the outing |
| Neuer having neither masculine nor feminine gender |
Note that many words can be used as prepositions, adverbs, or conjunctions. The definition of these words actually depends on how they are used within the sentence.
