Correlative

Conjunctions
• Conjunctions are JOINERS, or
CONNECTORS.
• They join words, phrases, and
even sentences!
• There are 3 types of conjunctions,
including: coordinating, subordinating, and
correlative.
• This lesson will focus on correlative
conjunctions.

What is a Conjunction?
• To CORRELATE means to have a
relationship in which one thing depends on
another.
• Correlative conjunctions are PAIRS of words
that connect, or create a relationship
between, other words or phrases in a
sentence.
• There are 5 correlative conjunction pairs
you will learn during this lesson.
Correlative Conjunctions
• The most common correlative conjunction
pairs (they depend on each other, and one
is never used without the other) are:
either…or
neither…nor
not only…but also
both…and
whether…or
Correlative Conjunctions
• either…or
I can work either Monday or Tuesday.
You may have either apples or pears.
• neither…nor
He likes neither fish nor chicken.
Neither you nor I will go to the game.

Correlative Conjunctions
• not only…but also
Not only red but also blue matches gold.
She got the highest score in not only math
but also reading.
• both…and
He won in both the child and the adult races.
Both radio and television are distracting.

Correlative Conjunctions
• whether…or
Whether you want to or not, it is time to go
to bed.
Today, whether it rains or it snows, we will
complete a two-mile run.

Correlative Conjunctions
• When using correlative conjunctions, they
connect two EQUAL grammatical items.
• For example, if an ARTICLE follows one
conjunction, an ARTICLE must follow the
other; they must have similar patterns.
YES: Either the cat or the dog must go outside.
NO: Either the cat or dog must go outside.

Tricky Rule #1
• If a VERB follows one correlative
conjunction, a VERB must follow the other.
YES: You should either run or swim today.
NO: You should either run, or you should
swim today.

Tricky Rule #1
Complete each sentence:
1. My dad not only plays golf…
2. I like neither seafood…
3. Either do your homework…
4. Both Ms. Hillson…
5. Whether you get a puppy…
6. Mr. Davis either likes…

Tricky Rule #1 Practice

• When using correlative conjunctions to
connect two subjects, the 2nd subject must
agree with the verb (except with
both…and; those always get a plural verb!).
YES: Every night either the dogs or the cat
wakes me up.
NO: Every night either the dogs or the cat
wake me up.

Tricky Rule #2
• Another example:
YES: Today, neither my sister nor my brothers
visit.
NO: Today, neither my sister nor my brothers
visits.

Tricky Rule #2
Choose the correct verb:
1. Not only the horse but also the goats
(smell, smells) nasty.
2. Both my uncles and my aunt (sing,
sings) well.
3. Neither a teacher nor students (use,
uses) the elevator.
4. Either the kids or the dog (run, runs)
through the house.

Tricky Rule #2 Practice

Choose the correct verb:
1. Not only the horse but also the goats
smell nasty.
2. Both my uncles and my aunt sing
well.
3. Neither a teacher nor students use
the elevator.
4. Either the kids or the dog runs
through the house.

Tricky Rule #2 Answers

Choose the correct correlative conjunctions:
1. ___ my brother ___ my sister lives here.
2. ___ I will go to the store, ___ you will go.
3. ___ soccer ___ baseball are team sports.
4. ___ you ___ your friend are tall
enough to ride the rollercoaster.
5. ___ he will come here, ___ you will go
there, we will play Monopoly.

PoP QuiZ
Choose the correct correlative conjunctions:
1. Neither my brother nor my sister lives
here.
2. Either I will go to the store, or you will go.
3. Both soccer and baseball are team sports.
4. Not only you but also your friend are tall
enough to ride the rollercoaster. (or both…and)
5. Whether he will come here, or you will go
there, will play Monopoly.
PoP QuiZ Answers
Write the items that are being correlated.
6. Both Jane and John have dogs.
7. Either pizza or spaghetti are on the menu.
8. You not only can sing, but you also can
dance.
9. I finished neither my homework nor my
chores.
10. Whether red or blue, I am buying the
sweater.
PoP QuiZ, Continued
Write the items that are being correlated.
6. Both Jane and John have dogs.
7. Either pizza or spaghetti are on the menu.
8. You not only can sing, but you also can
dance.
9. I finished neither my homework nor my
chores.
10. Whether red or blue, I am buying the
sweater.
PoP QuiZ Answers