Other common correlative conjunctions include "neither...nor" and "not only...but also." These can be a little bit trickier to use than "either...or," but once you get the hang of them, they're not too bad.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that are used to connect equivalent grammatical items. The most common correlative conjunction in English is "either...or." For example, you might say "I'm either going to the party or staying home."
So when should you use correlative conjunctions? Generally speaking, you should use them when you want to connect two things that are equal or similar in some way. For example, "I'm going to either the party or the movies." In this sentence, the speaker is saying that they're going to do one of two things, and both options are equally good to them.
Another good time to use a correlative conjunction is when you want to emphasize a contrast between two things. For example, "I'm not only going to the party, but I'm also going to the movies." In this sentence, the speaker is saying that they're going to do two things, and both are important to them.
Use correlative conjunctions when you have two distinct yet connected concepts in a sentence. If you and your roommate both tend to wake up early, an efficient sentence to communicate this is “Both my roommate and I wake up early.”
Correlative conjunctions can be helpful in transition sentences. Here’s an example of a short paragraph featuring a transition sentence:
I wasn’t hired at any of the companies I’d applied to. Neither my experience nor my skill set seemed to impress the interviewers. So I’m going to explore opportunities in a completely different field.
You can remove the second sentence and the paragraph will still make sense. However, that middle sentence adds detail and context. Here’s another example of correlative conjunctions in a transition sentence:
My goal is to earn a PhD. Whether I get into my dream school or I get accepted somewhere else, that’s my plan. After that, who knows what I’ll do?
When you’re using correlative conjunctions, subject-verb agreement is a must. All this means is that the verb in the sentence is conjugated to match the noun or pronoun that is its subject. Take a look at this example:
Correct : Either Reyna pushes the button or Abed pushes it.
Incorrect : Either Reyna push the button or Abed pushed it.
So those are a few general guidelines for when to use correlative conjunctions. Just remember that they're used to connect two things that are equal or similar in some way, and you should be good to go.
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