Correlative Conjunction, Examples of How Its Use

A. Both ... and are correlative conjunctions. They used together to include two parallel structures (two nouns, adjective, verbs, and adverbs).

Here are the examples of correlative conjunction :

• Incorrect : She speaks both English as well as Spanish.
• Correct : She speaks both English and Spanish at home.

• Incorrect : Virginia opened and a savings account and a checking account.
• Correct : Virginia opened both a savings account and a checking account.

• Incorrect : The weather on Sunday will be both sunny, warmer also.
• Correct : The weather on Sunday will be both sunny and warmer.

• Incorrect : We can use bike both to ride to school also go to the grocery store.
• Correct : We can use the bike both to ride to school and to go to the grocery store.

• Incorrect : The party will celebrate both our finishing the term as well your getting a new job.
• Correct : The party will celebrate both our finishing the term and your getting a new job.

Tips

Avoid using as well as instead of and with both.
Avoid using both ... and for more than two nouns or adjectives.

B. Correlative Conjunction-Inclusive and ... as well as

Both ... and ... as well as are correlative conjunctions. They must be used in sequence to include two or three parallel structures (nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs).

Examples of correlative conjunction :

• Incorrect : Both Mary, Ellen, and Jean are going on the tour.
• Correct : Both Mary and Ellen as well as Jean are going on the tour.

• Incorrect : My fiance is both attractive and intelligent as well considerate.
• Correct : My fiance is both attractive and intelligent as well as considerate.

• Incorrect : There are snacks both in the refrigerator and in the oven as well on the table.
• Correct : There are snacks both in the refrigerator and in the oven as well as on the table.

• Incorrect : To reach your goal, you must plan and work as well dream.
• Correct : To reach your goal, you must plan and work as well as dream.

• Incorrect : We will keep in touch by both writing and both calling and visiting each other.
• Correct : We will keep in touch by both writing and calling as well as visiting each other.

Tips

Avoid using as well instead of as well as.

C. Correlative Conjunctions-Inclusive not only ... but also

Not only ... but also are correlative conjunctions. They are used together to include two parallel structures (two nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs).

Examples :

• Incorrect : The program provides only not theoretical classes but also practical training.
• Correct : The program provides not only theoretical classes but also practical training.

• Incorrect :The new models are not only less expensive but more efficient also.
• Correct : The new models are not only less expensive but also more efficient.

• Incorrect : The objective is not to identify the problem but also to solve it.
• Correct : The objective is not only to identify the problem but also to solve it.

• Incorrect : Not only her parents but her brothers and sisters also live in Wisconsin.
• Correct : Not only her parents but also her brothers and sisters live in Wisconsin.

• Incorrect : To complete his physical education credits, John took not only swimming also golf.
• Correct : To complete his physical education credits, John took not only swimming but also golf.

Tips

Avoid using only not instead of not only.
Avoid using but instead of but also.

D. Correlative Conjunction-Exclusives not ... but

Not ... but are correlative conjunctions. They are used together to exclude the structure that follows not (noun, adjective, verb, adverb) and include the structure that follows but.

Examples :

• Incorrect : According to the coroner, she died not of injuries sustained in the accident, only of a heart attack.
• Correct : According to the coroner, she died not of injuries sustained in the accident but of a heart attack.

• Incorrect : The office that I was assigned was not large and cheerful but only small and dark.
• Correct : The office that I was assigned was not large and cheerful but small and dark.

• Incorrect : To judge your friends, you should not listen to what they say only observe what they do.
• Correct : To judge your friends, you should not listen to what they say but observe what they do.

• Incorrect : It is not the money only the principle that makes me angry.
• Correct : It is not the money but the principle that makes me angry.

Tips

Avoid using only instead of but.

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