Practice
Correlative conjunctions: rules and examples
Compare these two choices: "Both the laptop and the charger are in the bag" and "Either the laptop or the charger is in the bag." The paired words connect similar parts of the sentence, but the pair changes the meaning and can affect the verb.
Use common correlative conjunction pairs with matching grammatical forms and choose a verb that fits the linked subjects.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
correlative conjunction /kəˈrelətɪv kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən/
The short answer
Use both...and to include two things. Use either...or for one of two choices, and neither...nor when both choices are excluded. Keep the parts after each half of the pair parallel: both careful and patient, either to call or to email.
Both the coordinator and the volunteers are ready.
Why it works: Both...and joins two subjects, so the verb is plural: are.
4 more examples
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You can either print the form or save it as a PDF.
Either...or gives two actions. Both sides begin with a base verb, print and save.
Not this:You can
print the form and save itas a PDF. What changes: And says that both actions can happen, rather than presenting a choice. -
Neither the assistants nor the manager is available.
Manager is closest to the verb and is singular, so formal agreement uses is.
Not this:
Neither the manager nor the assistantsare available. What changes: Assistants is now closest to the verb, so are fits the nearer plural noun. -
Whether the report is accurate or it needs revision, we need a decision today.
Whether...or links two complete possible situations before the main clause.
Not this:
The report is accurate, so we need a decision today. What changes: This statement gives one situation instead of considering two possible situations. -
Please tell us whether you will attend or join online.
Whether...or introduces two possible arrangements. The verbs attend and join share the same subject, you.
Not this:Please tell us
if you will attend. What changes: This asks about one arrangement and does not name an online alternative.
Read the full guide
First, find the two words that work as a pair. Then compare what comes after each word. If one side is a noun phrase, verb, adjective, or clause, make the other side the same kind of unit. This parallel pattern helps the reader follow the choice.
Find the two-part pattern
A correlative conjunction has two connected words. Look for both with and, either with or, neither with nor, or whether with or. The two parts frame the items you are comparing.
Both the desk and the chair need repair.
Both appears before the first item, and and appears before the second item.
Which word completes the pair? Either the bus ___ the train will get us there.
Use or: Either the bus or the train will get us there.
Keep the linked parts parallel
After each half of the pair, use the same grammatical shape. Match noun with noun, adjective phrase with adjective phrase, and infinitive with infinitive. This makes the relationship clear without adding extra words.
The team plans either to postpone the launch or to change the schedule.
To postpone and to change are both infinitive phrases.
Choose the parallel ending: She is both careful and ___.
Use an adjective: She is both careful and patient.
Check agreement with either...or and neither...nor
Both...and usually creates a plural subject. Either...or and neither...nor can join nouns with different numbers. In formal writing, the verb usually agrees with the noun nearest to it.
Either the supervisors or the intern is attending the call.
Intern is singular and nearest to is, so is fits the sentence.
Choose the verb: Neither the intern nor the supervisors ___ attending the call.
Use are because supervisors is the nearer plural noun.
Use whether...or for possible situations
Whether...or can introduce two possible situations. Put whether before the first possibility and or before the second one. Each side should make sense as an alternative the reader can consider.
Whether Maya organizes the files or labels every folder, the records will be easier to find.
The first possibility is that Maya organizes the files. The second is that she labels every folder.
Complete the pair: Please confirm whether you will attend ___ join online.
Use or: Please confirm whether you will attend or join online.
Choose the pair by meaning
Use both...and when two statements are true. Use either...or when one choice is possible, and neither...nor when neither choice is true. Use whether...or when you are asking about two possible situations.
Whether the package arrives today or tomorrow, we will send a confirmation.
The sentence considers two possible arrival times, not two objects to add together.
Which pair shows that two people have the skill? ___ Jamal ___ Priya can lead the workshop.
Use Both...and: Both Jamal and Priya can lead the workshop.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose the pair that matches the meaning, then make the two linked parts parallel. Both...and adds two items. Either...or and neither...nor connect alternatives, so check the noun near the verb when the subjects have different numbers. Read the sentence once more to see whether both halves have the same grammatical shape.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Correlative conjunctions: rules and examples"
What are correlative conjunctions?
Correlative conjunctions are two-part conjunctions that connect equal parts of a sentence. Common pairs are both...and, either...or, neither...nor, and whether...or. The words or phrases after each half should have the same grammatical job.
Both the coordinator and the volunteers are ready.
How do I use both...and?
Use both...and when two people, things, actions, or descriptions are included. For example, Both the coordinator and the volunteers are ready. When the pair joins two subjects, the verb is normally plural because the sentence refers to more than one subject.
The coordinator is ready.
How do either...or and neither...nor affect verb agreement?
When either...or or neither...nor joins subjects with different numbers, formal edited English usually matches the verb to the subject nearest to it. For example, Neither the assistants nor the manager is available. If the plural subject comes nearest, use a plural verb instead.
You can either print the form or save it as a PDF.
What does parallel structure mean with correlative conjunctions?
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical shape after each half of the pair. Write either to postpone or to change, or both careful and patient. Avoid joining an infinitive on one side with a noun phrase or a different verb form on the other side.
You can print the form and save it as a PDF.
Can I use correlative conjunctions in a formal sentence?
Yes. Correlative conjunctions work in formal and everyday writing when they make a real relationship clear. Keep each half close to the words it connects. For example, Whether the report is accurate or it needs revision, we need a decision today. Do not add a pair when a simple sentence already says the meaning clearly.
Neither the assistants nor the manager is available.