By moving the verb likes before the first correlative conjunction, a second subject does not need to be added, and both conjunctions can be followed by prepositional phrases to create a parallel structure. This example is a slight adjustment of the previous example. My brother likes not only to play video games but also to watch movies.

Separating the conjunction but also to include the subject he is an acceptable way to use this conjunction. This example is parallel because both conjunctions are followed by a verb. My brother not only likes to play video games, but he also likes to watch movies.This example is not parallel because the first conjunction in the pair is followed by a verb, while the second conjunction is followed by a prepositional phrase. My brother not only likes to play video games, but also watch movies.Parallel structure adds clarity to your writing, making it easier to follow. When using correlative conjunctions, it is important that the items or ideas being connected follow the same grammatical structure – they have equal functions in the sentence. Not only the painting but also the sculptures show their unique style when put on display.Įnsuring Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions.Either the doctors or the nurses will visit their patients at least once a day.Both Joey and Sam completed his part of the project.Singular antecedents use singular pronouns, plural antecedents use plural pronouns, and when both a singular and plural antecedent are used, the pronoun is based on the second antecedent, or the antecedent closest to the pronoun. When two antecedents are used with a correlative conjunction, the rules follow a similar pattern to verb agreement rules.

Ensuring Pronoun Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions

In this example, the plural word soldiers is closest to the verb, so the plural verb run must be used.

Both the captain and the soldiers runs two miles every day.

Both the captain and the soldiers run two miles every day.

In this example, both students and parents are plural, so the plural verb were must be used Join a singular subject and a plural subject with the verb form used for the subject closest to the verb.

Either the students or their parents was expected to pick up supplies for the project.

Either the students or their parents were expected to pick up supplies for the project.

Join two plural subjects with a plural verb. In this example, both boy and brother are singular, so the singular verb want must be used.

Neither the boy nor his brother wants to do their chores.

Neither the boy nor his brother want to do their chores.

Join two singular subjects with a singular verb. When working with correlative conjunctions, there are three important rules to remember: ensure verb agreement, ensure pronoun agreement, and ensure parallel structure.

My new supervisor not only has exciting new ideas but also helps to bring them to life.

Neither the dogs nor the wild raccoons would eat the stew he made.

I will either go to Costa Rica or Panama for vacation.

Here are a few examples to get us started: You’re probably familiar with a number of correlative conjunctions. While it might take time to review your questions multiple times, it’s certainly more efficient than asking the wrong questions and receiving unhelpful or meaningless results - and then having to start again from the top.Correlative Conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect two parts of a sentence that hold an equal value, or correlate with one another. These are easy checks that can be made at the time of reviewing the survey questions. Once you become familiar with these common errors, you will be able to avoid them more easily. If someone agrees with this statement, are they saying that the service was both timely and courteous? What if the service I received was timely but not courteous, or vice versa? A simple point on a rating scale cannot possibly represent the whole range of options. Question 3 is a classic double-barreled question - ambitious but misguided. Again, this issue means that the answers to this question cannot be used in meaningful analysis. In this type of mistake, the participant is asked about two separate things simultaneously, which means that it will be unclear whether the answer given applies to one or both parts. Including a double-barreled question is one of the most common issues users have in building their surveys, and it can be easy for inexperienced survey designers to overlook and fail to correct. If you know what that question is asking, good for you! Each participant is likely to interpret the question differently - not helpful for data validity. Question 2 is an example of a double-negative question.

Double negative meaning and examples