Use the correct pair of correlative conjunctions

Lesson Intro: Using the Correct Pair of Correlative Conjunctions

Sometimes one conjunction isn’t enough to connect ideas—you need a matching pair that works together like teammates. These are called correlative conjunctions.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs to link two words, phrases, or clauses in a balanced way. The most common pairs are:

• either…or (a choice)

• neither…nor (two negatives)

• both…and (two together)

• not only…but also (adds emphasis)

• whether…or (two possibilities)

  Example:

  • Either we finish the homework now or we do it after lunch.

  • She is not only smart but also hardworking.

  In this lesson, you’ll learn how to pick the correct pair, keep your sentence balanced, and avoid mixing pairs (like “either…and,” which is incorrect). By the end, you’ll be able to write clear, smooth sentences that sound confident and correct.