IELTS Correlative Conjunction Usage Drills

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to link equivalent sentence elements, such as words, phrases, or clauses. They add balance, contrast, and emphasis to writing, which can help IELTS candidates demonstrate advanced grammatical range. Mastering them is essential for achieving coherence and cohesion, two key IELTS scoring criteria.

These conjunctions not only connect ideas but also reflect the writer’s ability to manipulate sentence rhythm and emphasis. In high-level responses, examiners look for variety in grammatical structures. Overusing simple linkers like ‘and’ or ‘but’ can lead to monotony. By mastering correlative pairs, you can craft sentences with greater nuance and precision. This guide explains core rules, illustrates common errors, and provides a practice question to refine your skills.

Common correlative pairs include both...and, either...or, neither...nor, and not only...but also. For example, in a report you might write: both the graphs and the tables illustrate significant trends or start a sentence with Not only did the candidate present clear data, but they also provided insightful commentary.

Rule Explanation

1. Maintain parallel structure: Ensure the elements after each conjunction are the same grammatical type (e.g., two gerunds, two nouns, two clauses).
2. Place paired elements correctly: Do not insert unrelated words between the conjunctions.
3. Use inversion when starting with not only: The verb often precedes the subject after not only to emphasize the first element.

Detailed Look at Common Pairs

1. both...and

   • Usage: Connects two positive, related items.
   • Example: Both the survey results and the interview data support the conclusion.

2. either...or

   • Usage: Presents a choice between two alternatives.
   • Example: Either the author will update the draft, or the editor will suggest revisions.

3. neither...nor

   • Usage: Negates both elements, equivalent to not either... or.
   • Example: Neither the hypothesis nor the methodology was flawed in the experiment.

4. not only...but also

   • Usage: Adds emphasis and builds on information, often with inversion at the beginning.
   • Example: Not only did the candidate improve her grammar, but she also expanded her academic vocabulary.

• Correct usage examples

  • Both the methodology and the results demonstrate significant improvement. (Balanced noun phrases)
  • Not only was the study comprehensive, but it also provided actionable insights. (Inversion and parallel construction)
  • Either the manager will approve the budget, or the finance team will propose revisions. (Balanced clauses)

• Common mistakes to avoid

  • She likes both to swim and dancing on weekends. (Mismatch: infinitive vs gerund)
  • Neither the timeline nor the resources meets the requirements. (Subject-verb disagreement; should be ‘meet’)

Example sentences in context
Both the charts and the graphs illustrate the rising trend in temperature anomalies.
Neither the reviewer nor the author expected such a thorough peer evaluation.
Not only was the dataset extensive, but the analysis was also exceptionally detailed.

Using correct correlative conjunctions in writing or speaking could help you achieve a higher band score by demonstrating complex sentence structures and cohesive links.

Practice Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable correlative conjunction pair:

Before finalizing the report, ___ the team leader ___ the data analysts had verified the figures.

A) both ... and
B) either ... or
C) neither ... nor
D) not only ... but also

Show Answer

Answer: C) neither ... nor
Explanation: The sentence suggests that both parties did not verify the figures, so ‘neither ... nor’ correctly links the two subjects in a negative context.

Key Takeaways

• Correlative conjunctions like both...and and neither...nor enhance cohesion through balanced structures.
• Ensure parallelism: match grammatical forms after each conjunction.
• Practice sentence structure suggestions with Lingo Copilot