Grammar basics
Correlative conjunctions
A correlative conjunction comes in a pair, like both … and or either … or. The two parts work together.
The pairs
| Pair | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| both … and | the two things are true | Both Tom and Sarah are here. |
| either … or | one or the other | Either tea or coffee is fine. |
| neither … nor | not this and not that | Neither Tom nor Sarah is here. |
| not only … but also | this, and also that | She is not only smart but also kind. |
| whether … or | it doesn't matter which | Whether you win or lose, have fun. |
Keep it balanced
Use the same kind of word after each part of the pair.
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| I like both coding and to write. | I like both coding and writing. |
Neither is already negative
Don't use not with neither … nor. Say I like neither tea nor coffee, not I don't like neither tea nor coffee.
Both … and
conjunction pair/boʊθ … ænd/ไทยทั้ง…และ…
Says that two things are true.
I speak both Thai and English.
Either … or
conjunction pair/ˈiːðər … ɔːr/ไทย…หรือ… (อย่างใดอย่างหนึ่ง)
Gives a choice between two things.
We can meet either today or tomorrow.
Neither … nor
conjunction pair/ˈniːðər … nɔːr/ไทยไม่ทั้ง…และ…
Says that two things are not true.
Neither my mom nor my dad speaks English.
Not only … but also
conjunction pair/nɑːt ˈoʊnli … bət ˈɔːlsoʊ/ไทยไม่เพียงแต่…แต่ยัง…
Adds a second idea that is even more interesting.
Python is not only easy but also powerful.
Whether … or
conjunction pair/ˈwɛðər … ɔːr/ไทยไม่ว่า…หรือ…
Says that it doesn't matter which one.
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