Name

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Comma  Lesson  #3  Part  3               Class  Period  /  Day  ________________  
 
 
 
 
What  are  correlative  conjunctions,  and  how  do  we  use  them?  

         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Correlative  
  Conjunctions  
Coordinating  
  conjunctions  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Definitions  and  Examples  
 
Correlative  Conjunctions:  pairs  of  conjunctions  that  work  together  to  join  ideas  
 
When  using  correlative  conjunctions,  make  sure  that  what  is  on  either  side  of  the  conjunctions  is  
equal.      For  example:  two  nouns,  two  verbs,  two  adjectives,  two  phrases  (of  the  same  type),  two  
clauses  (of  the  same  type).    This  is  also  known  as  parallel  structure.    
 
Examples  
   as…so                                                      both…and  
   either…or                                      hardly…when  
   if…then                                                neither…nor                
   no  sooner…than              not…but                
   not  only…but  also        rather…or                                
   rather…than                            scarcely…when                          
   whether…or                            what  with…  and  
 
 
 
How  do  we  punctuate  correlative  conjunctions?  
 
1.  Correlative  conjunctions  rarely  require  commas.    
  For  example:  Either  the  blue  shirt  or  the  red  sweater  will  compliment  your  jeans.  
      I  can’t  decide  whether  to  have  pizza  or  a  cheeseburger.    
For  these  examples,  also  recall  the  rule  about  items  in  a  series.    Since  there  are  only  two  items  
being  listed,  no  comma  is  necessary.    
 
2.  When  correlative  conjunctions  join  together  two  independent  clauses,  a  comma  is  needed.    
  For  example:  Either  your  father  will  pick  you  up,  or  you’ll  get  a  ride  home  with  a  friend.  
 
3.  Sometimes  the  way  the  sentence  is  constructed  may  require  a  comma  that  separates  the  correlative  
pair.    
For  example:  Neither  the  job  as  a  cashier,  which  paid  only  minimum  wage,  nor  the  washroom  
attendant’s  job  interested  the  woman  with  two  PhDs.    
 
In  this  sentence,  the  dependent  clause  “which  paid  only  minimum  wage”  interrupts  the  flow  of  the  
sentence  and  offers  more  information  about  the  context  of  the  sentence.    This  clause  is  set  off  by  
commas.    As  a  result,  commas  also  fall  before  the  clause  and  after,  immediately  before  the  second  
correlative  conjunction.  Had  that  clause  been  omitted,  no  commas  would  be  necessary.    
 
3.  The  conjunction  “but”  is  part  of  a  correlative  pair  (not  only…but),  but  is  also  a  coordinating  
conjunction.    Because  of  commas  rules  as  they  apply  to  coordinating  conjunctions,  this  correlative  pair  
requires  commas  in  most  cases.    
   
  For  example:  Not  only  did  Jeff  need  a  textbook,  but  he  also  needed  a  laptop  for  class.    
 
In  this  sentence,  the  word  “but”  is  joining  together  a  dependent  clause  with  an  independent  clause.    
Because  of  this,  a  comma  is  required  before  the  conjunction.    However,  the  rules  of  correlative  
conjunctions  also  apply  since  both  “Not  only”  is  paired  with  “but…also”  even  though  the  subject  
“he”  falls  in  between.    
You  try  it!  
 
Directions:  Read  each  sentence  carefully.    Circle  the  correlative  conjunctions.    Add  commas  if  necessary.    

Also,  identify  the  part  of  speech  of  the  two  equal  parts  being  joined.    

1.  The  company  deals  in  both  hardware  and  software.  

2.  I  will  eat  either  carrots  or  peas  for  dinner.  

3.  Natalie  likes  neither  milk  nor  cream  cake.  

4.  Do  you  care  whether  we  have  noodles  or  rice  for  dinner?  

5.  He  not  only  studies  hard  but  also  works  well.  

6.  It’s  such  a  tiny  kitchen  that  I  don’t  have  to  do  much  to  keep  it  clean.  

7.  No  sooner  did  he  enter  the  room  than  he  saw  a  snake.  

8.  I  like  both  math  and  science.  

9.  I  can’t  decide  whether  I  should  have  popcorn  for  a  snack  or  I  should  choose  chips.    

10.  It’s  not  sunny  but  rainy  outside.  

Independent  Practice    

Directions:  Combine  the  following  sentences  using  correlative  conjunctions  

 
1.  The  presentation  was  interesting.    It  was  also  informative.  (not  only/but  also)  
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2.  I  was  disappointed  to  hear  that  they  don’t  offer  a  photography  club.    They  also  don’t  have  a  yearbook  
club.  (neither/nor)  
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3.  However,  we  can  take  art  as  an  elective.    Or  we  can  take  music.  (either/or)  
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4.  Charlotte  loves  films.    Her  brother  loves  sports.  (just  as/  so)  
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5.  Christine  is  a  bookworm.    So  is  Patrick.  (both/and)  
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6.  The  coach  noticed  that  the  entire  team  came  to  the  car  wash,  not  just  one  player.  (not/but)  
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7.  Richard  asked  if  Chloe  would  like  to  go  shopping.    He  also  wondered  if  she  wanted  to  go  to  the  beach.  
(rather/or)  
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8.  That  is  the  case.    I  am  not  surprised  at  the  result.  (if/then)  
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9.  Mark  put  his  umbrella  away.    It  started  raining.  (no  sooner/than)  
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10.    Diana  walked  in  the  door.    She  received  an  urgent  call  from  the  doctor.  (scarcely/  when)  
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11.  Michelle  likes  to  sing.    She  likes  to  play  the  drums  more.  (rather/than)  
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12.  Wendy  wondered  if  the  white  paint  was  better  than  the  pink.  (whether/or)  
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13.  The  girl  finished  reading.    She  fell  asleep.  (hardly/when)  
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14.  Midterms  were  approaching.    The  procrastinating  teen  could  not  sleep.  (what  with/  and  all)  
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