Grammar
Correlative conjunctions: both and, either or, neither nor
Both the schedule and the budget need approval. The pair both and makes the two things feel connected. If you write both the schedule and we need approval, the sentence loses that balance because the two parts are not the same kind of structure.
Use common correlative conjunction pairs to join grammatically matching words, phrases, or clauses and choose a verb that agrees with the subject.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
You can either call the office or send an email. /juː kən ˈaɪðə kɔːl ði ˈɒfɪs ɔː send ən ˈiːmeɪl/
The short answer
Use both and for two positive additions, either or for a choice, neither nor for two negative alternatives, and an emphatic addition pair when a second point needs extra weight. Keep the connected parts parallel.
The workshop covers both project planning and risk management.
Why it works: Both nouns follow the pair, so the two connected parts have the same grammatical form.
5 more examples
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Both the designer and the developer joined the call.
Both and connects two noun phrases and adds them together.
Not this:
The designer and the developerjoined the call. What changes: And also adds two people, but both makes the inclusive meaning more explicit. -
You can either reserve a desk or work from home.
Either or presents two possible actions in matching verb phrases.
Not this:You can
reserve a desk and work from home. What changes: And suggests both actions are possible together. Either or frames them as alternatives. -
Neither the invoice nor the receipt includes the order number.
Neither nor says that the order number is absent from both documents.
Not this:
Neither documentincludes the order number. What changes: Neither can also work with one plural idea, but neither nor names both alternatives separately. -
The course is practical and affordable.
The two adjectives have matching forms. An emphatic addition pair can give the second quality more weight when the context needs it.
Not this:The course offers
practical advice and affordable access. What changes: The two noun phrases remain parallel, which is also required when an emphatic addition pair links them. -
Either the regional managers or the director is presenting the update.
The singular subject director is closest to the verb, so the verb is is singular.
Not this:Either the director or
the regional managers arepresenting the update. What changes: The plural subject managers is closest to the verb, so are is natural in this version.
Read the full guide
First decide what relationship you need: addition, choice, negative choice, or emphasis. Then look at the words that follow each half of the pair. If one half introduces a noun, the other half should normally introduce a noun. If one half introduces an infinitive, the other should introduce an infinitive too.
Connect matching parts of a sentence
Correlative conjunctions come in pairs. Each half points to a matching part of the sentence. Before you choose a pair, identify what the two parts are: two nouns, two adjective phrases, two actions, or two complete clauses.
The report is both detailed and easy to read.
Detailed and easy to read are both descriptions of the report, so the pair joins matching ideas.
What kind of items does both and connect in The team checked both the data and the calculations?
It connects two noun phrases: the data and the calculations.
Use both and for two positive additions
Use both and when two people, things, qualities, or actions are included. Put both before the first item and and before the second. This pair makes it clear that the statement applies to each item.
Both the client and the consultant signed the agreement.
The sentence includes the client and the consultant. Both emphasizes that neither person is excluded.
Complete the sentence: The new system is ___ reliable ___ secure.
Use both reliable and secure because the sentence adds two positive qualities.
Use either or for alternatives
Use either or when there are two alternatives. The alternatives can be nouns, actions, or longer phrases, but they should match each other. In a choice, either can suggest that one option is available rather than both together.
You can either join the video call or read the meeting notes later.
Join the video call and read the meeting notes later are both verb phrases, so the structure is parallel.
Which pair presents a choice between two locations?
Use either in the office or at home. The pair gives two alternative places.
Use neither nor for two negative alternatives
Neither nor means that no option in the pair is true, available, or chosen. The pair already has a negative meaning, so do not add not before the verb in the same simple sentence.
Neither the printer nor the scanner is working today.
The sentence says that both machines have a problem. Do not write Neither the printer nor the scanner is not working.
Complete the sentence: ___ the morning train ___ the evening train arrives before noon.
Use neither the morning train nor the evening train because neither option arrives before noon.
Use an emphatic addition pair
An emphatic addition pair gives a second fact extra weight. Place its two halves before matching structures. In an ordinary sentence, the pair can stay inside the clause without changing the usual word order.
The update fixed the error and improved the loading speed.
Fixed the error and improved the loading speed are matching past-tense verb phrases. An emphatic pair would preserve those matching forms.
Choose a parallel ending after an emphatic first adjective: clear, clearly, or clarify?
Use clear or another adjective. The second part should match the grammatical form of the first adjective.
Check agreement with either or and neither nor
When the subjects joined by either or or neither nor have different numbers, the verb commonly agrees with the subject closest to it. Put the plural subject closest to the verb when possible if that makes the sentence easier to read.
Either the supervisors or the manager is available.
Manager is singular and nearest to the verb, so is is used.
Neither the manager nor the supervisors are available.
Supervisors is plural and nearest to the verb, so are is used.
Before you go
Remember this
Use both and to add two positive items, either or to give alternatives, neither nor to reject both alternatives, and an emphatic addition pair when a second point needs extra weight. Keep the structures after each half of the pair parallel. With either or and neither nor, make the verb agree naturally with the subject nearest to it when the subjects have different numbers.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Correlative conjunctions: both and, either or, neither nor"
What are correlative conjunctions?
Correlative conjunctions are paired words that connect matching parts of a sentence. Common pairs include both and, either or, and neither nor. Some pairs add emphasis to a second point. The connected words or phrases should have the same grammatical shape.
Both the designer and the developer joined the call.
When should I use both and?
Use both and when two positive items are included. Both the designer and the developer joined the call says that each person joined. The pair can connect nouns, adjectives, actions, or other matching structures.
The designer and the developer joined the call.
What is the difference between either or and both and?
Both and adds two items, while either or presents alternatives. You can either reserve a desk or work from home gives a choice. You can reserve a desk and work from home does not present the same choice.
You can either reserve a desk or work from home.
Do I need not with neither nor?
No. Neither nor already has a negative meaning. Neither the invoice nor the receipt includes the order number means that both documents lack it. Do not add another not before includes in this simple structure.
You can reserve a desk and work from home.
How does verb agreement work with either or and neither nor?
When the connected subjects have different numbers, the verb commonly agrees with the subject closest to it. Either the regional managers or the director is presenting the update uses is because director is the nearest subject.
Neither the invoice nor the receipt includes the order number.