CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION/ PAIRED CONJUNCTION

1. Either ..... or
It means one or the other of two/ choice of two things.
Connect two independent clauses. A comma is used to separate them
Either he works at home, or he works at the office.
Either she writes the letter at home, or her friend does.
Connect two coordinate elements/ pairs of elements. The words must
parallel in structures. The comma is not needed.
Pairs of (pro) Noun or Noun Phrase
Either my son or I will come for the school meeting.
My son gave his sister either the old books or the new books.
Verbs
He either losess his money or spends it.
Adjectives
The information that we had yesterday either exciting or surprising.
Prepositional Phrase (PP) functions as Adverb of time/place
You can find the my key either at the living room or at the kitchen.
To-Infinitives
They ask me either to join the party or to stay at home.
In a compound subjects, the subject that is closer to the verb
determines the verb/be (singular or plural?)
Either my boss or I am doing the hard work everyday.
2. Neither .... nor ....
It means not one or the other.
Connect two independent clauses. A comma is used to separate them.
The emphatic form is needed to give greater emphasis to the idea express
by the verb because Neither..nor... expresses the negative choice in order.
Neither would I like to go to library, nor would I go to canteen.
Neither did I use the computer, nor did my brother.
Connect two coordinate elements/ pairs of elements. The words must
parallel in structures. The comma is not needed.
Pairs of (pro) Noun or Noun Phrase
Neither the TV nor the video actually works.
Verbs
He is neither working nor studying.
Adjectives
Their house is neither big nor small.
Prepositional Phrase (PP) functions as Adverb of time/place
She was worried to find out that her key was neither in her pocket nor
on her bag.
To-Infinitives
She really wants us neither to tell her Mom nor call her brother.
In a compound subjects, the subject that is closer to the verb
determines the verb/be (singular or plural?)
Neither the principal nor the teachers have asked us to leave school
for a week.

3. Both.....and ....
It means the two.
NOT USED to connect two clauses.
Connect two coordinate elements/ pairs of elements. The words must
parallel in structures. The comma is not needed.
1

 Pairs of (pro) Noun or Noun Phrase

Both John and Andre come for the selection at the hall.
Verbs
He both lives and works in his apartment.
Adjectives
She is both smart and beautiful.
Prepositional Phrase (PP) functions as Adverb of time/place
We must greet our guess both at the front door and at the living
room.
To-Infinitives
The principal asks us both to manage time and to join school activity.
In a compound subjects, the verb/be is always PLURAL
Both my parents and I are from Indonesia.
4. Not only ... but also ....
Connect two independent clauses. A comma is used to separate them.
The emphatic form is needed to give greater emphasis to the idea express
by the verb because NOT ONLY makes a negative opening.
Not only does she have a good personality, but also she has a positive
thinking.
Not only does she have a good personality, but she also has a positive
thinking.
Not only is she an intelligent woman, but she is also an interesting one.
Not only is she an intelligent woman, but she is an interesting one also.
Connect two coordinate elements/ pairs of elements. The words must
parallel in structures. The comma is not needed.
Pairs of (pro) Noun or Noun Phrase
Not only the men but also the women get in charge for the meeting.
Verbs
He not only works but also studies.
Adjectives
He is not only smart but also handsome.
Prepositional Phrase (PP) functions as Adverb of time/place
We must greet the visitors not only at the front door but also at the
living room.
To-Infinitives
The children like not only to swim but also to play ball in the
swimming pool.
In a compound subjects, the subject that is closer to the verb
determines the verb/be (singular or plural?)
Not only he but also his parents go to school by bus.
A negative sentence may sometimes used.
Not only does she not have a job, but also she doesnt have a home.
Not only did he not pay the bills, but also he didnt pay the rent.