As..as, so..that, whether..or, no sooner..than, both..and, either..or, neither..nor, and not only..but also, rather..than are top 10 correlative conjunctions intensively used in English grammar. Correlative or “paired conjunctions” equally balance either parts of the given sentence; make more richer by adding additional information; and construct concise, compact, and clear sentence. Considering the vital role of correlative conjunctions in forming meaningful and content rich sentences, their proper learning become unavoidable.
Understanding most useful correlative Conjunctions in English grammar
- The subordinating conjunctions
- The coordinating conjunctions
- The correlative conjunctions (paired)
- The some conjunctive connectors Or transition words
The subordinating conjunctions such as: when, as soon as, unless, provided that, no less than, as if, so that, in order that, etc. are used to connect only two depending clauses. These conjunctions establish temporal, spatial, contrasting, causal, and comparative relationship between two parts of sentence. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions connect only two clauses: main clause with depending clause.
- He used to visit national parks when he was in the Kenya.
- Trees shed leaves in summer because they conserve water.
- We can go out, provided that it stops raining.
The coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, so, etc. are used to connect more than what subordinating conjunctions can do. These words connect two words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank. Clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions called independent. These words are used to add information, opposing ideas, alternative possibilities, inference.
- Green energy is more costly than conventional, but it is a clean form of energy.
- It is proved that junk food is not healthy, yet younger generation consumes junk food.
- I do not play for money, nor do I play for publicity.
- You can go for picnic, or you can stay at home.
Some conjuctive adverbs such as however, therefore, etc. are frequently used to connect two clauses to ensure clarity and logical flow in writing.
Understanding Top 10 Correlative conjunctions
For layman’s understanding, they are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect equal parts of a sentence, such as words, phrases, or clauses. Unlike other conjunctions I mentioned earlier, these paired correlative conjunctions connect more than single idea to form more compact, concise, and logical sentence that readers love to read.
Major types of correlative conjunctions
There are not so many correlative conjunctions as like subordinating in English grammar. Below, I have listed down some major types of correlative conjunctions with purpose.
- As..as: shows degree of similarity
- So..that: indicates results
- Whether..or: dilemma of choice selection
- No sooner..than: shows happening two events with minimum time gap
- Both..and: adds extra similar information
- Either..or: shows two choice possibilities
- Neither..nor: negates both possibilities
- Not only..but also,: adds emphasis on second part
- Rather..than: indicates preference or contrast between two things
- As much…as: makes comparison of quantities
Hereon, let’s understand meaning, usages, and examples of each and every correlative conjunctions above mentioned.
1. No sooner….than correlative conjunction: meaning, use, and examples
No sooner than” is used to express two actions with negligible time gap in sequence. One event happens immediately after other with almost negligible time gap.
“No sooner than” is used before verbs and auxiliary verbs in sentence formation. And, No sooner than” is a negative form of “as soon as.
Examples of sentence structure with no sooner than.
No sooner + auxiliary verb + dependent clause + than + main clause)
(No sooner + had/did + dependent clause + than + main clause)
- No sooner did the train arrive than I informed you. (No sooner than is hardly used in the middle of the sentence)
- No sooner had they entered in the forest than they heard a roar. (there is no question of comma in such sentences)
- No sooner did we see venomous snake than we ran away.
2. Not only…but also correlative conjunction: meaning, use, and examples
Most preferred and used to add extra information to the main clause. If you are going to express more information about the subject, then, no other better choice.
It adds extra information and it may be in the form of noun, noun phrase, adjective or adjective phrase. Most importantly, it connect two equal rank grammatical units only.
Not only…but also can be positioned in between or at the beginning of the sentence. But, rules are not same.
Sentence structure for using in between of the sentence is:
He is + not only + any part of speech or phrase or clause + comma in case of emphasis + but also + additional information in the earlier format.
- UN is not only an intergovernmental forum but also a catalyst for global development.
- Trees not only breathe through leaves but also produce food.
Sentence structure for using at the beginning of sentence is:
Not only + inversion of helping verb + any form of grammatical unit + comma + but also + second part of the sentence.
- Not only did technology make human life easy, but it also created environmental concern.
3. Both…and correlative conjunction: meaning, use, and examples
Both…..And” is used to join two equal grammatical forms with plural auxiliary verb. On the other hand, “As well as”is used to join two grammatical forms with great emphasis on one compares to other part.
Plural auxiliary verb is taken and comma is omitted in the use of both and. In addition, it is only used when the both parts are equal in grammatical rank. Both is paired with “And”. In the pair, “And” acts as a coordinator for “Both”.
While using both…and to connect two independent clauses, use it at the beginning. In other cases, use anywhere.
- Both how government will generate jobs and how much will be employed is not yet clear.
- Oceans are both deep and vast.
- Himalaya is both bold and lofty.
- US wants both to reduce trade deficit and to increase employment.
4. Either…or and neither…nor correlative conjunctions: meaning, use, and examples
Either to make a choice between two alternative options; or to negate between two options, conjunction for alternative choices are used.
Neither….nor, either….or, are two most used paired conjunctions widely used to make or negate choices.
- Either carrot or eggs are recommended for healthy eyes. (Both are good source of vitamins)
- Neither junk food nor fried and oily food items are beneficial to reduce obesity. (Both cause obesity)
And, neither junk food nor fried and oily food items are beneficial to reduce obesity. (Both cause obesity.
If the nouns or pronouns joined by “Or and Nor” are singular, the helping verb will be singular. And, If the nouns or pronouns joined by “Or and Nor” are plural, the helping verb will be plural.
- Neither lion nor buffaloes are available in the national park. (plural nouns and plural auxiliary)
- Neither bikes nor motor is useful in desert. (Singular noun and singular auxiliary)
- Either mobiles or Kindle is ideal to study. (Singular noun and singular auxiliary)
When more than one personal pronouns are used in a sentence, the following order is used.
Second person, third person, and first person (You, she, and I)
Helping verb is preferred according to the personal pronouns joined by “Or and Nor”
- She and I play football in the morning. ( First person singular)
- You and she is happy go for picnic. (Third person singular pronoun)
- He and they are planning to join personality class. (Third person plural pronoun)
Useful examples of conjunctions for alternative choice.
Examples of either…or
- I want to purchase either a fountain pen or a cricket bat.
- Either he may write with a fountain pen, or he can choose a ball pen in the exam.
- Either he or his friends are responsible for this misdeed.
- I can choose either science or humanities as a career option.
- Either he will join us, or he will spend his weekend with his family.
Neither……. Nor negate both choices
- Neither Norway nor Switzerland is a member country of European Union.
- Neither soil nor the water is free from pollution.
- Neither he nor his friends are available for work.
- Neither he nor his teammates were allowed to participate in this tournament anymore.
- Neither she promised to help, nor were her friends responded positively.
5. Whether…or correlative conjunction: meaning, use, examples
Whether….or correlative conjunction is used to indicate dilemma in making choice between two or more possibilities or options. But, the happening thing will happen eventually.
It is used to express a kind of doubt or uncertainty. Use comma, if whether…is used at the beginning.
- Whether you come to office or stay at home, it is yours choice.
- The coach will take decision whether to go with extra bowling option or continue with continuity.
- She didn’t ask me whether to come or not.
- Tell his relatives. They don’t know whether their son is alive or dead.
6. So..that paired conjunction: meaning, use, and examples
There are two meanings of so that conjunctions. As subordinating conjunctions, it is used to show purpose between two depending clauses.
But, as paired or correlative conjunction, it indicates results or cause effect relationship between two clauses or parts of sentence.
- The train was so packed that I can’t find seat.
- She was so irritated that I didn’t dare to talk.
7. Rather…than correlating conjunction: meaning, use, examples
Rather…than correlative conjunction used to indicate preference or contrast between two things
- I will rather prefer to visit national park than to see match.
- You rather clean your house first than to speak about country.
8. As much…. as paired conjunction: meaning, use, examples
As much….as or as many…as both are correlative conjunctions used to talk about.
As much….as or as many.. as used to compare uncountable quantities. Such comparison is based on equality.
- My father tries to give me as much support as they can.
- Don’t worry. There are as many benches as there are students.
9. As….as paired conjunction: to show degree of similarity between two things.
Sentence structure would be like: As + adjective + as + rest of the sentence part.
As…as paired conjunction is used in degree of comparison to show positive comparison between two adjective, adverb, and clauses.
- Riding bike is as simple as bicycle.
- Making omlett is as simple as tea.
- She is as talented as her father.
So far, I have discussed top 10 correlative conjunctions with simple and easy to understand examples. By reading this piece of paper, you can apply to your writing through careful practice.