Paired conjunctions
Introduction
This meal is not only tasty but also nutritious.
Definition
We use paired conjunctions to connect two ideas including nouns, verbs, adjectives or phrases.
Construction
We use them to connect two ideas including nouns, verbs, adjectives or phrases. Here are some examples:
| I invited | both | Brenda | and | Angela | to the seminar. |
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| Both | Brenda | and | Angela | are going to the seminar. |
| It's available in | either | red | or | blue. |
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| I don't know | whether | to fix it | or | buy a new one. |
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Uses
| Conjunctions | Use | Examples |
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both...and |
To emphasise that there are two things |
Both a knowledge of languages and IT skills are necessary for this job.
I like both red and white wine - I don't have a preference.
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either...or
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To talk about a possible consequence
To talk about two alternatives or possibilities. |
Either we make a decision today or we risk losing the contract.
We can have the meeting either tomorrow or Friday.
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neither...nor |
To emphasise two things in a negative sentence |
I like neither tea nor coffee - I prefer cold drinks.
Neither my brother nor my sister live in England - they both moved to the US after university.
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not...but
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To emphasise a contrast between two things - sometimes in order to make a correction
Note that this structure is most often used with the verb 'to be'
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It wasn't Anne who wanted to speak to you but Jodi.
It isn't blue pens that we need but red. |
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not only...but also |
To emphasise that there are two things - it can express surprise or annoyance |
Not only is he good-looking but he can also cook!
It's not only cheap but also practical.
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whether...or |
To talk about two alternatives
Note that these two words can be placed separately or together |
He isn't sure whether it's better to fly or go by train.
Whether or not you agree, we're going to sign the contract.
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Subject verb agreement
With either...or and neither...nor, the choice of verb depends on whether the first or second person or thing mentioned is singular or plural.
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When the second noun is singular, a singular verb is preferred but plural verbs are acceptable in conversation.
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Either the sales manager or the director is going to attend the conference.
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When the second noun is plural, use a plural verb. |
Neither the director nor the sales managers are going to attend the conference.
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When the second noun is singular but the first is plural, you can use a singular or plural verb. |
Either the sales managers or the director is/are going to attend the conference.
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Note that when either is not at the beginning of a sentence or clause, we can omit it:
It's available in (either) red or blue.
We can have the meeting (either) tomorrow or Friday.
Not only...but also
Note that
1. We can separate but and also - they don't have to be together in the sentence:
She's not only creative but also good at solving problems.
Or
She's not only creative but she's also good at solving problems.
2. We often invert the not only clause:
Not only is she creative but she's also good at solving problems.
3. We can use 'too' or 'as well' instead of also. These are placed at the end of a sentence:
She's not only creative but good at solving problems too/as well.
'Whether' has a similar meaning to 'if' and can sometimes be used as an alternative to 'if' when we talk about two possibilities:
I'm wondering if/whether we should tell him (or not).
It depends if/whether he'll be unhappy about it (or not).
I don't know if/whether recruiting more staff is a good idea or not.
He can't remember if/whether Aurélie or Olivier is in charge of the account.
Whether is preferred to 'if':
a) before an infinitive:
I don't know whether to do this now or later. 
I don't know if to do this now or later. 
Have you decided whether or not to apply for the job?
Have you decided if to apply for this job?
b) after prepositions such as 'about' or expressions with a similar meaning:
There was a lot of disagreement about whether we should re-locate or not.
It was a question of whether (or not) to choose the cheapest contractor.
c) at the beginning of a sentence:
Whether we eat in or go to a restaurant doesn't matter to me - you can choose.
d) directly before 'or not':
Have you decided whether or not you're coming with us?
Have you decided if/whether you're coming with us or not?
Examples
We've got both meat and veggie burgers - which would you like?
We can either carry on for an hour or stop now and have lunch.
This job is neither challenging nor fun.
Not just one but all four of the children raised their hands.
We're not only going to the mountains but also the sea.
I don't know whether to have chocolate or vanilla.
