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CORRELATIVE SUBORDINATOR

I. Definition of correlative subordinator

A correlative conjunction is a coordinating conjunction that works in pairs to connectelements in a sentence. The elements connected by correlative conjunctions are usuallyparallel- that is, similar in length and grammatical form.

The most common correlative conjunctions are:

both . . .andeither . . . orneither . . . nor

not only . . . but alsoBesides, some other ones such as not...but, although...yet, whether...or, no sooner ...than, if ... then, hardly ... when, rather ... than, scarcely ... when, what with ... and,...

II. Some functions of the common types of correlative conjunctions

2.1: The correlative conjunction both...and

- both...and connects either two subjects or two objects:

Both Jon and Lauren enjoyed the movie. (subjects)Jon enjoyed both the movie and the popcorn. (objects)

- "both...and" is used to link the two noun phrases that act as the compound subject ofthe sentence

Both my grandfather and my father worked in the steel plant.- both...and conects adjectives

He is both intelligent and good-natured.

http://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/parallelstructureterm.htmhttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/subjpred.html#compound%20subjecthttp://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/parallelstructureterm.htmhttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/subjpred.html#compound%20subject

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2.2: The correlative conjunction either...or

- either...or connects prepositional phrases

Orange juice is made either by squeezing oranges or by mixing a can of frozenconcentrate.

- either...or conects subjects

Either John or George must have done this work.

- either...or conects objects

She wanted to paint either a landscape or a self-portrait.

2.3: The correlative conjunction not only...but also

- not only...but also connects independent clauses

Not only did the cat jump over the fence, but he also scratched the paint.

- Not only...but also can connect nouns or entire clauses:

Im going not only to the concert, but also backstage!

Not only will I see your ten, but Ill also raise you twenty.

- For emphasis not only can be moved to the beginning of a clause. Note that we use theinverted word order 'not only + auxiliary verb + subject'. But can be left out in somecases.

She was not only sad, but also angry.

Not only was she sad, she was also angry.

They not only need food, but also shelter.

Not only do they need food, they also need shelter.

- not only ...but also conects add-adj, adv-adv, verb- verb,...

Robert is not only talented but also handsome.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules/Grammar-Clause.htmlhttp://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules/Grammar-Clause.html

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He writes not only correctly but also neatly.

She not only plays piano but also compose music.

2.4: The correlative conjunction neither...nor

- neither...nor is used to deny subjects

Neither he nor I know English.

- neither... nor is used to deny predicate

She neither ate no drank anything.

- neither...nor is used to deny objects or adjectives

I know neither English nor Russion.

She neither is fond of film nor keen on music.

When you use correlative conjunctions, be careful about verb agreement.

- If you connect two subjects with a correlative conjunction, the second onemust agree with the verb that follow.

Every single evening either the horned owl or the squabbling cats wakeSamantha with their racket.

Every single evening either the squabbling cats or the horned owl wakesSamantha with its racket.

When you use correlative conjunctions, be careful about pronoun agreement.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subject.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/verb.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subject.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/verb.htm

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- If you connect two antecedents with a correlative conjunction, the second onemust agree with thepronoun that follows.

Neither Yolanda nor the cousins expressed their disappointment when blindAunt Sophie set down the plate of burnt hamburgers.

Neither the cousins nor Yolanda expressed her disappointment when blindAunt Sophie set down the plate of burnt hamburgers.

III. Special case

Either ... or, neither ... nor , and not only ...but also require special attention when youare proofreading forparallelism. Be sure that you have equal grammatical units after bothparts of the conjunction. For example, you can have two main clauses like this:

Not only did Michael grill a steak for Tiffany, but he also prepared a hotdogfor Rocket, her dog.

- Or you can shorten the sentence with twoprepositional phrases:

Michael grilled meat not only for Tiffany but also for Rocket, her dog.

- Or you can have two nouns as this version does

Michael grilled meat for not only Tiffany but also Rocket, her dog

n this sentence, the correlative conjunction "both...and" is used to link the two nounphrases that act as the compound subject of the sentence: "my grandfather" and "myfather".

Bring either a Jello salad or a potato scallop.

Here the correlative conjunction "either...or" links two noun phrases: "a Jello salad" and"a potato scallop."

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/antecedent.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/pronoun.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/parallelstructure.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/mainclause.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/prepositionalphrase.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/noun.htmhttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/subjpred.html#compound%20subjecthttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/antecedent.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/pronoun.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/parallelstructure.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/mainclause.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/prepositionalphrase.htmhttp://www.chompchomp.com/terms/noun.htmhttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#noun%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/subjpred.html#compound%20subject

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Corinne is trying to decide whether to go to medical school or to go to law school.

Similarly, the correlative conjunction "whether ... or" links the two infinitive phrases "togo to medical school" and "to go to law school."

The explosion destroyed not only the school but also the neighbouring pub.

In this example the correlative conjunction "not only ... but also" links the two nounphrases ("the school" and "neighbouring pub") which act as direct objects.

Note: some words which appear as conjunctions can also appear as prepositions or asadverbs.

http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#infinitive%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/objcompl.html#direct%20objecthttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/phrfunc.html#infinitive%20phrasehttp://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/objcompl.html#direct%20object