Correlative conjuctions

CORRELATIVE CONJUCTIONS

• A correlative conjunction is essentially a coordinate conjunction used in pairs. A correlative conjunction gets its name from the fact that it is a paired conjunction that has a reciprocal or complementary relationship.

• Correlative conjunctions always join grammatically equal elements (e.g., noun & noun, adjective & adjective, phrase & phrase, clause & clause, etc.).

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS

• Correlative conjunctions also lend equal weight to the joined elements; which is to say, one joined element is always equal to but never subordinate to the other. It's interesting to note that the second word of each conjunctive pair is a coordinating conjunction.

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONSCORRELATIVE

CONJUNCTIONS

• Correlative conjunctions are essentially paired coordinating conjunctions. The meaning expressed by a sentence with correlative conjunctions is basically the same as a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.

• The difference is only a matter of emphasis, where the correlative conjunction reinforces the fact that there are two equal elements or ideas in the sentence.


Either … or

Neither … nor

Not only … but also

Whether … or

Both … and

Below are five pairs of correlative conjunctions commonly used in English.


Example• Either you or Susan can take the message.


Example• This job requires an ability possessed neither

by Jack nor by John.


Example• In 1795 B.C.E., Babylon was not only the

capital city of ancient Babylonia but also the world's first metropolis.


Example• Whether we meet in the park or at Enid's

house is up to you.


Example• Both the teacher and the principal were

furious.


Prepared by

CAMILO HERRERAJORGE MOLINA

FUNDACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA LUIS AMIGÓ

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

REFERENCES• http://www.testyourenglish.net/e

nglish-online/subjects/correlativec.html

http://www.testyourenglish.net/english-online/subjects/correlativec.html



Education

Correlative conjuctions