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Share this pageTHIS EMPTY H2 IS TO CORRECT AN ERROR FOR THE H3 IN THE POPUP WINDOW
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Parts of Speech: Correlative Conjunctions
The word conjunction comes from a Latin root meaning “join.” In grammar, a conjunction is a joining word.
There are three main types of conjunctions in English: coordinating, correlative and subordinating. This article focuses on correlative conjunctions.
What is a correlative conjunction?
A correlative conjunction is a two-part conjunction: it consists of two words or phrases that are used to join sentence elements of equal value. Some of the most common are shown below:
- both…and Both Ryan and Meg like skiing Whistler.
- either…or Luis will live either in Spain or in Portugal.
- neither…nor Neither you nor I have to work tomorrow.
- not only…but also Maria not only sings but also plays guitar.
Use parallel structure with correlative conjunctions
Your writing will be more effective if you use parallel (similar) structures after both parts of the correlative conjunction. First, let’s look at a poorly structured sentence.
Non-parallel structure:
Lise either went to the weight room or the sauna.
- went to the weight room = predicate*
- the sauna = noun
As you can see, the above sentence is non-parallel. Because either is followed by the predicate went to the weight room and or is followed by a noun, the sauna, the two halves of the structure are not balanced.
Now, let’s see how the same sentence could be rewritten to make the structure parallel.
Parallel structure:
Lise went either to the weight room or to the sauna. (2 phrases)
Lise went to either the weight room or the sauna. (2 nouns)
Lise either went to the weight room or had a sauna. (2 predicates*)
* Note: The predicate is the verb and any words that go with the verb (objects, adverbs, phrases, etc.).
