Correlative Conjunctions

What is a Conjunction? 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?

Correlative Conjunctions 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

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

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

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

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

Tricky Rule #1 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

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

Tricky Rule #1 Practice 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

Tricky Rule #2 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

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

Tricky Rule #2 Practice 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

Tricky Rule #2 Answers 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

PoP QuiZ 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

PoP QuiZ Answers 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

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, Continued

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 Answers