Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs such as neither . . . nor, not . . . ... These
conjunctions connect two balanced clauses, phrases, or words. The two
elements that correlative conjunctions connect are usually similar in length
and grammatical structure.

1. Either..........or
Either she or her brother is coming.
Either Ravi or Anil must have done this mischief.
2. Neither ..........nor
Neither the officer nor his subordinates responded to the query.
Neither Norway nor Switzerland is in the European Union.

3. No sooner .........than
No sooner did he get up to deliver his speech than the hall began so
resound with cheers.
No sooner had I finished watering the garden than it started raining.

4. No less.......than
No less a person than the CM hoisted the flag.
No less a joy than winning is the chance to represent my country.

5. Not only.............but also

He not only helped me in office but also dropped me home after work.
Ravi not only likes but also recommends the movie.

6. Hardly.............when
He had hardly left his house when it started raining.
I had hardly sat down for dinner, when the phone rang.

7. Scarcely ...............when
I had scarcely reached the school, when it started to rain.
Scarcely had he entered the room, when everyone got quiet.

8. So...........that
She is so weak that she can’t walk.
She speaks so quickly that no one understands what she says.
9. Too.........to
She is too weak to walk.
This is too good to be true.

10. Whether.............. or
Whether anyone helps me or not, I will finish the work today.
You have to do it whether you like it or not.

11. Such ...............that

It’ s such a tiny kitchen that I don’t have to do much to keep it clean.
Today is such a wonderful day that I wish to go for a picnic.

12. So..........as
Her story is not so boring as his.
Ravi is not so tall as Anil.

13. Just as........so

Just as many Americans love football, so many Canadians love ice
hockey.
Just as our body needs food for energy, so a car needs fuel.

14. The more.....................the more

The more you practice, the more confident you will be.
The more one knows, the more humble one becomes.

15. Rather…than
She’d rather play the drums than sing.
I would rather spend the day at the beach than go shopping.

16. Both…and…
Both the shoes and the dress were overpriced.
Priyanka is both intelligent and beautiful.
17. If…then…
If that is the case, then I’m not surprised about what’s happening.
If you want to come in the evening party, then finish your homework.