Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to join various elements in a sentence, showing a relationship between those elements. They help balance sentences by connecting phrases or words of equal importance.
Common pairs include “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also,” “both…and,” and “whether…or.”
For example, in the sentence
- Both the book and the movie are entertaining.
“Both” and “And” are correlative conjunctions.
Detailed List of Correlative Conjunctions
1) Both…And
‘Both…and’ is the first correlative conjunction. It joins two independent clauses together, and it has the same form as a coordinating conjunction. Both show equality between the two clauses.
e.g. I both love and hate doing laundry.
2) Either…Or
‘Either…or’ is the second correlative conjunction. It joins two independent clauses together, and it has the same form as a coordinating conjunction. Either or shows a choice between the two clauses.
e.g. You can either stay or go.
3) Neither…Nor
‘Neither…nor’ the third correlative conjunction. It joins two independent clauses together, and it has the same form as a coordinating conjunction. Neither nor shows exclusion between the two clauses.
e.g. I neither know nor care what happened.
4) If…Then
‘If…then’ is the fourth correlative conjunction. It joins two dependent clauses together, and it has the same form as a subordinating conjunction. If then shows conditionality between the two clauses.
e.g. I’ll do it if then you can help me.
5) Because…Then
‘Because…then’ is the fifth correlative conjunction. It joins two dependent clauses together, and it has the same form as a subordinating conjunction. Because then shows causation between the two clauses.
e.g. I’m happy because then you’re here.
6) Although…But
‘Although…but’ is the sixth correlative conjunction. It joins two dependent clauses together, and it has the same form as a subordinating conjunction. Although but shows the contrast between the two clauses.
e.g. I love you although but I don’t like your dog.
7) Hereby…Therefrom
‘Here by…there from’ is the seventh correlative conjunction. It joins two adverbial clauses together, and it has the same form as a coordinative adverb. Hereby therefrom shows proximity between the two clauses.
e.g. I hereby give you this gift therefrom my heart.
8) In so far…As
In so far as insofar is the eighth correlative conjunction. It joins two adverbial clauses together, and it has the same form as a subordinating conjunction. Insofar as shows the degree between the two clauses.
e.g. I’m only happy in so far as you’re happy too.
9) Never…Nor
Never nor never is the ninth correlative conjunction. It joins two independent clauses together, and it has the same form as a coordinating conjunction. Never nor show negation between the two clauses.
e.g. I never loved nor will I love you again.
