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Teacher cue
B2 · English Grammar

Paired
Conjunctions

It is neither a passive nor a formulaic process.

two halves, always keep them parallel
The idea

Two halves, one job

Paired conjunctions link two things using two words that belong together. You can never use one half without the other.

Examples

You should either turn your phone off or leave it in another room.

Creativity not only varies between people but also varies across your life.

The four pairs

both … and

either … or

neither … nor

not only … but also

Rule 1

What each pair does

both … and — the two things are equally important
either … or — a choice between two possibilities
neither … nor — joins two negative options
not only … but also — the second thing is surprising or adds weight
Rule 2

Keep the halves parallel

Whatever form follows the first half must also follow the second: noun with noun, -ing with -ing, adjective with adjective.

✓ both having ideas and putting them into practice
✓ The course is both interesting and useful.
✗ The course is both interesting and it is useful. (adjective + clause)
Rule 3

Which verb form?

When the pair joins two subjects, the verb doesn't always agree with both.

both … and

Always plural.

Both my sister and my brother live in Canada.

either · neither · not only

Agrees with the nearer subject.

Neither the manager nor the assistants were told.

⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

You can either take the bus nor walk.

Correct: either take the bus or walk.

It is both interesting and it is useful.

Correct: both interesting and useful.

I don't like neither tea nor coffee.

Correct: I like neither tea nor coffee.

Both my sister and my brother lives abroad.

Correct: both … and takes live.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

Being creative means both having ideas (both) putting them into practice.
You should either turn your phone off (either) leave it in another room.
It is (nor) a passive nor a formulaic process.
Creativity not only varies between people (not only) varies across your life.
Neither the students nor the teacher (be) aware of the change.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

She is bothA fluent in Spanish and she speaks ItalianB, whichC helps inD her job.

Bfluent in Spanish and she speaks Italian → fluent in Spanish and in Italian

✓ both ... and joins parallel structures

Not only didA the team winB the match, butC they also qualified to the finalD.

Dthey also qualified to the final → they also qualified for the final

✓ qualify for something

Neither the manager or the assistantA wasB available, soC we leftD a message.

ANeither the manager or the assistant → Neither the manager nor the assistant

✓ neither pairs with nor

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

She sings. She also dances. → She both
We can walk. We can cycle. → We can either
He doesn't like tea. He doesn't like coffee. → He likes
She won the race and broke the record. → Not only
Speak & write

Your turn

Use both … and, either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also.

Name two qualities a good friend needs.
You have one free evening and two ideas — give yourself the choice.
Name two things you really dislike eating or drinking.
Describe someone impressive you know, and something surprising about them.
Recap

Remember this

The four pairs
both/and · either/or · neither/nor · not only/but also
Parallel
same form after each half
both … and
always a plural verb
the other three
verb agrees with the nearer subject

Never mix the halves, and never double the negative.

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