Paired Conjunctions: both...and, not only...but also, either...or, and neither...nor

Dear readers,

Conjunctions are important to join two sentences or more into one. We often need to do this to avoid too many short sentences, which will make the paragraph sounds weird. We also use conjunctions to join sentences into one to avoid unnecessary repetitions.

When there are two sentences and most words used are the same, we can join them into one by using paired conjunctions. For example:

Tania likes English. Tania likes Chinese.

When combined, the two sentences above become 'Tania likes both English and Chinese.' A lot more effective, isn't it?

Right, here I am going to share with you on how to use the following paired conjunctions appropriately:

One rule we must obey when we use paired conjunctions: always put them before parallel words or phrases (the same parts of speech). In the example above, English and Chinese are both nouns/subjects.

1. Both ... and ...
Both Mike and Peter live in Bristol.
Both English and Chinese are important.

Note: when both...and... used as a subject, it takes a plural verb.

Janice is interested in both dancing and skiing.
That man both makes and sells furniture.
My teacher was both inspiring and religious.

2. Not only ... But also ...
Not only Mike but also Peter lives in Bristol.
Not only Lena but also I enjoy classical music.

Note: when not only...but also... used as a subject, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

The girl is not only diligent but also clever.
He not only is rich but also has a lot of important connections.
The old man sold not only his car but also his house.

3. Either ... or ...
We use either...or... to indicate one of the two.
Either Rosa or Tiffany enjoys going to parties but I am not sure which one.
Either they or Henry was at the crime scene. I forget.
Either Michelle or you know the true story.

Note: when either...or... used as a subject, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

There was a person in the house. It was either Jim or Parker.
Jill either loves or hates cooking. I don't really remember.

4. Neither ... nor ...
We use neither...nor... To indicate none of the two.
Neither I nor my father has interest in photography. (Both I and my father do not like photography)
Neither Ronald nor I know the truth behind it. (We both don't know)
Neither Claire nor the boys were punished. They were all not guilty.

Note: when neither...nor... used as a subject, the verb agrees with the subject closest to the verb.

He has neither money nor love to give away.
My friend knows neither you nor your brother.
Their manager was neither arrogant nor bad-tempered.
Customers neither want to pay much nor wait for a long time to get a good service.