This document provides guidance on using the conjunctions "not only...but also", "neither...nor", and "either...or" correctly in sentences. It explains that "not only" must be followed by "but also" and the two clauses connected must be similar in structure. For "neither...nor", neither refers to the first and second object not behaving a certain way, and the subjects must agree. "Either" refers to one or the other option and can be used with "or" but not "nor". Verb conjugation depends on the number of the closest subject. Examples are provided to illustrate proper usage.

2. NOT ONLY; BUT ALSO
Use when there are two noun clauses or two
verb clauses
Two items connected must be similar in kind
Use parallel structure with “not only…but also,”
Invert the subject and verb with a sentence.

3. Not only; but also
If you say “not only” you are required to also say “but
also.”
You can NEVER have the construction “not
only…also” or “not…but also” or anything else of the
sort.
“Not only” and “but also” are BFF’s, and you can’t
have one without the other.
What follows “not only” must be structurally and
logically similar to what follows “but also.”

4. Not only…but also
Are the sentences correct?
I bought not only bread, but Correct! Bread and milk are
also milk. both nouns.
I bought not only bread, but Wrong! Bread is a noun, but
also considered buying milk. “considered buying milk” is a
more complex clause.
He is not only a great
quarterback, but also a great Correct! Great quarterback
musician. and great musician are two
noun clauses
He is not only a great
quarterback, but also plays Wrong! One is a noun clause
amazing music. the other is a verb clause.

5. Neither…Nor
Neither is a singular adjective and can be paired with nor
in a sentence.
Neither is NEVER paired with or
Neither says not the first object and not the second object
are behaving in a certain way.
The nouns/pronouns are in agreement with one another.
Nor can be used independently when negating the second
part of two negative clauses.

6. Neither…nor
Used in sentences in a negative sense meaning
“not this one nor the other, not this nor that, not
he nor she, etc.”
Verb conjugation depends on the subject
(singular or plural) closest to the conjugated
verb.

7. Neither…nor
Are the sentences correct?
Neither Corie nor Bob Corie isn’t going to the play
went to the play. Bob isn’t going to the play
She said, “I don’t like
Neither is used here
broccoli.” I said, “Neither
because she doesn’t like
do I.”
broccoli, and I don’t like
Neither Frank nor Lilly broccoli.
lives in Eugene
Neither Axel nor my other Second subject is
friends care about their singular
future.
Second subject is plural

8. Neither…nor
Rewrite the sentences…
We could fly. We could go Either we could fly or we
by train. could go by train.
Jack is not here. Tom is Neither Jack nor Tom is
in another city. here.
Fred loves traveling. Both Fred and Jane love
Jane wants to go around traveling.
the world.

9. Quiz: neither…nor
Pair the letters that fit the best.
A. Both Peter F. Not only wise to listen to your
parents but also
B. Either Jack will have to work interesting.
more hours
G. Both my laptop and my cell
C. In the end he had to choose phone on holiday.
D. I would love to take H. Either his career or his
hobby.
E. Sometimes it is
I. Or we will have to hire
somebody new.
J. And I are coming next week.

10. Either…or
Either is a singular adjective. It means one or the
other, but NOT both.
Either expresses one noun/pronoun doing one
thing and the other noun/pronoun doing another;
in this way it is a “positive” word because what is
occurring is true.
“Either” can be paired with “or”, but NOT “nor”

11. Either…or
Used in sentences in a positive sense meaning “one or the
other, this or that, he or she, etc.”
Verb conjugation depends on the subject (singular or
plural) closest to the conjugated verb.
If your element (the words that follow neither or either) is
singular, then your verb needs to be singular
If one or both of your elements is plural, then your verb
needs to be plural.

12. Either….or
Are sentences correct? Why?
Neither Jaymee nor Dave Jaymee and Dave are
is having a party. singular so you use the
Either the dancer or the singular “is” not “were”
acrobats are doing the
tricks. One of the subject is
Either Jane or Matt is
plural, so “are” instead
going to visit next of “is” is used
weekend.
Second subject singular
Either Peter or the girls
need to attend the Second subject plural
course.

14. Which is correct?
A. Not only the movie but the play was good.
B. I like only the movie but also the play.
C. The actors were not only engaging but also
skillful in their performances.
D. The plot moved not swiftly but also artfully
throughout the movie.

15. Which is correct?
I don’t think much of either of the candidates.
I am hungry or I don’t want to eat.
Do you want pizza either a hamburger?

16. Which is correct?
The book was neither interesting nor well
written.
You will have to have either, the blue shirt or the
red.

17. References
Warriner. “English Grammar and Composition”
Harcourt Brace and World Inc., 1969.
Kennedy, X.J., Kennedy, Dorothy M., Holladay, Sylvia
A.. “The Bedford Guide for College Writers” PR
Donnelley and Sons Company, 1999
Hall, Donald. “Writing Well” Little, Brown and
Company; Boston, 1973.
Baldick, Chris. “Oxford Concise Dictionary of
Literary Terms” Oxford University Press, 2001.