1. Explain the use of: "as .....as", "both.....and.....", and "either ..... or .....

"

: "as .....as",

We use as + adjective/adverb + as to make comparisons when the things we are comparing are
equal in some way.

"both.....and.....",

We use both … and to emphasise the link between two things. This makes a stronger connection
than and alone.

"either ..... or ....."

Either… or… connects two choices, We use either… or… to connect items which are the same
grammatical type, e.g. words, phrases, clauses.

2. Also explain the use of "although" and "whether".

Although:

Although and though meaning ‘in spite of’

Although and though both mean ‘in spite of something’. They are subordinating conjunctions.
This means that the clause which they introduce is a subordinate clause, which needs a main
clause to make it complete.

"whether
We use whether in indirect yes-no questions and questions with or. We can’t leave
out whether (or if).

3. Give examples!

"as .....as",

The world’s biggest bull is as big as a small elephant.

The weather this summer is as bad as last year. It hasn’t stopped raining for weeks.

You have to unwrap it as carefully as you can. It’s quite fragile.

"both.....and.....",

Both Britain and France agree on the treaty. (stronger link than Britain and France agree on the
treaty.)

She played both hockey and basketball when she was a student. (stronger link than She played
hockey and basketball when she was a student.)

"either ..... or ....."

I’ve saved some money to buy either a DVD player or an MP3 player.

We can either pre- or post-date the document. I don’t mind. (connecting prefixes)

It’s either black or grey. I can’t remember. (connecting words)

You can stay either with me or with Janet. (connecting phrases)

Either I drive to the airport or I get a taxi. (connecting clauses)

Although:

Everyone enjoyed the trip to the final although we lost the match!

Though it was rainy, we put on our jackets and went for a walk.

"whether

They asked me whether (if) I was tired. (original question: Are you tired?)

I want to find out whether (if) the rooms have a shower or not.

We can’t say whether tourism is harmful or beneficial.