Correlative Conjunctions

This week in Summit ELA, we're learning about correlative conjunctions!

What are Conjunctions?

What are Correlative Conjunctions?

According to Your Dictionary,  Correlative conjunctions are sort of like tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs, and you have to use both of them in different places in a sentence to make them work. They get their name from the fact that they work together (co-) and relate one sentence element to another. Correlative conjunctions include pairs such as “both/and,” “either/or,” “neither/nor,” “not/but” and “not only/but also.” For example:

• either/or - I want either the cheesecake or the chocolate cake.

• both/and - We’ll have both the cheesecake and the chocolate cake.

• whether/or - I didn’t know whether you’d want the cheesecake or the chocolate cake, so I got both.

• neither/nor - Oh, you want neither the cheesecake nor the chocolate cake? No problem.

• not only/but also - I’ll eat them both - not only the cheesecake but also the chocolate cake.

• not/but - I see you’re in the mood not for desserts but appetizers. I’ll help you with those, too.