BOTH… AND

Both is paired with and to add emphasis to two coordinated elements in a sentence. Both is a focusing
adverb; and is a coordinator. Together, they are a "correlative conjunction". Note the word "conjunction "
is reserved for addition, not a connective word. See And, Or But and Connector Overview.

NOUN PHRASES
Both the movie and the play were good. (plural verb form)

I liked both the movie and the play.

MODIFIERS
The actors were both engaging and skillful in their performances. (Adj)
This house is both large and cozy.”

The plot moved both swiftly and artfully throughout the movie. (Adv)

The movie is being shown both at The Fox Theater and in neighborhood theaters. (Prep Phrase)

VERBS
Ebert both likes and recommends the movie.
She both cleaned her room and washed the dishes.”
INFINITIVES & GERUNDS
The directors wanted both to win and to receive recognition for their work.

The producers ended up both extending and expanding their filming hours.

NOT ONLY…BUT ALSO

Not only and also are paired with but to add emphasis to two coordinated elements in a
sentence. Only and also are focusing adverbs, not is a negative adverb and but is a coordinator for
contrast. This paired expression is also called a "correlative
conjunction".
NOUN PHRASES

Not only the movie but also the play was good. (verb agrees with 2nd noun)

I liked not only the movie but also the play.

MODIFIERS
The actors were not only engaging but also skillful in their performances.

The plot moved not only swiftly but also artfully throughout the movie.
The movie is being shown not only at the Fox Theater but also neighborhood theaters.

VERBS

Ebert not only likes but also recommends the movie.

INFINITIVES & GERUNDS

The directors wanted not only to win but also to receive recognition for their work.

The producers ended up not only extending but also expanding their filming hours.

Not only with an auxiliary verb

NO AUXILIARY ADDED

When not only is used at the beginning of a sentence, and it joins like (same form) elements of a sentence,
no auxiliary verb is used. This is a correlative conjunction.

WORDS AND PHRASES

Not only you but also I applauded the performance. (noun + noun)
You and I applauded the performance.

I like not only to watch movies but also to see plays. (infinitive + infinitive)
I like to watch movies and see plays.

AUXILIARY BEFORE SUBJECT AND VERB

When not only is used at the beginning of a sentence and joins two clauses, the auxiliary verb of the not
only clause is placed before the subject. This is a coordinating conjunction.
CLAUSES
Not only did I applaud, but I also stood up.

I applauded the performance, and I stood up.

Not only do I like to watch movies, but I also like to see plays.

I like to watch movies, and I like to see plays.

Words and Phrases vs. Clauses

WORDS AND PHRASES

No comma is needed when joining equivalent sub-clausal elements: noun-noun, modifier-modifier,

verb-verb or verb-phrase--verb-phrase.
We both applauded and stood up. (no comma)
We both clapped our hands and stomped our feet.

They not only liked the movie but also loved the play.
We not only applauded but also stood up.

CLAUSES

A comma separates a clause that has its own subject and predicate.

We both applauded, and we stood up.

We both clapped our hands, and we stomped our feet.

They not only liked the movie, but they also loved the play.
We not only applauded, but we also stood up.

Neither…nor (but not either…or)

NEITHER…NOR

Use neither…nor for negative addition [Not X AND not ]. When neither… nor begins a sentence and
joins two verbs, the auxiliary verb precedes the subject. Neither…nor is singular in
agreement.
NOUNS

Neither the movie nor the play was good. (singular verb form)

I liked neither the movie nor the play.

MODIFIERS

The plot was neither believable nor engaging.

The director spoke neither specifically nor excessively about the project.
INFINITIVES & GERUNDS
The actors tried neither to overplay nor to underplay their roles.

They objected to the movie neither following the book nor keeping the central theme.

VERBS
I neither liked nor would recommend the movie.

Neither did I like nor would I recommend the movie.¹

EITHER …OR (PREFERENCE!)

The expression either…or is not related to neither nor. In contrast, it indicates (1) "no particular
preference", one or the other (You can have either this one or that one.) or (2) an ultimatum (Either you
stop that or I will make you stop that.)

NOUNS
Either the movie or the play was good. I can't remember.

I didn't like either the movie or the play. They were both bad.

MODIFIERS

The plot was either believable or unbelievable depending on the viewer's perspective.

The director spoke either briefly or excessively about his project depending on how much free time he
had. (one or the other)

INFINITIVES & GERUNDS

The actors tried either to overplay or to underplay their roles. (I don't know what they did, but it
wasn't effective in the movie.) (one or the other)

They objected to either following the book or keeping the central theme. (one or the other)

VERBS

Either I like a movie or I hate it. There is nothing in-between. (one or the other)

Either…or / Either…or (else)

EITHER… OR

The paired conjunction either…or expresses that someone does not remember or does not have a
preference (doesn't wish to decide).

Either you ate the pie or I ate it. I can't remember who did. (one or the other)

Either you can eat the pie or I'll eat it. I don't really care who eats it. (no preference)

EITHER… OR ELSE

The conditional expression either…or else expresses the consequence of a particular action. It is often
used as a mild threat. Including else is optional.

Either you eat the pie, or (else) I will. (informal Eng. with "either")
You eat the pie, or else I will. (condition, semi-threat)

You eat the pie. Otherwise, I will. (condition, alternative)

 Error and Solution

INCORRECT

*Not only the Grand Canyon is deep but also is wide.

*Not only the jokes but also the dialog were good.

*Neither I took vacation nor I asked for sick leave.

*Neither I nor my sons carries a mobile phone. (Must compare two singular items)

SOLUTION

Not only is the Grand Canyon deep but also wide. (adjective + adjective)
Not only is the Grand Canyon deep [is], but also it is wide. (clause + clause) Move the auxiliary verb
in front of the subject.
When Not only…but also begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the axillary verb precedes the subject.

Not only the jokes but also the dialog was good. (The verb agrees with closest noun.)

Neither did I take vacation, nor did I ask for sick leave.

Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject.

When Neither…nor begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the axillary verb precedes the subject.

Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone.

Subject-verb agreement
Watch out – when using either or neither the verb agrees with the second subject, NOT the first:
 Either my brother or my mum look looks after our cat when we’re away on holiday.
 Either my brother or my parents looks look after our cat when we’re away on holiday.
 Neither the manager nor his assistant are is here today.
 Neither the manager nor his assistants is are here today.