Paired Conjunctions

Both _ _ _ and _ _ _
Not only _ _ _ but also ___
Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _

Uses:
Paired conjunctions are words that let
us connect ideas. You should always
connect them with the adequate pair.
Both and always takes a plural
verb conjugation
The other take either singular or
plural depending on the last subject.

Both _ _ _ and _ _ _
As subject
Both nouns and nouns
v.ing
v.ing
to verb to verb
E.g.:
Both my mother and my father have always
worried about me.
Both concentrating and thinking are a must when
studying.
Both to concentrate and to think are a must when
studying.

Both _ _ _ and _ _ _
As complement
Both nouns and nouns
adj
adj
adv
adv
v.ing v.ing
to verbto verb
E.g.:
We need both love and patience when we
are parents

Students enjoy both working and

studying in groups
Students need both to create and to
practice.
Making up a project requires both to
concentrate and to be creative.
We should drive both carefully and
slowly

Not only _ _ _ but also _ _ _

As subject
Not onlynouns but also nouns
v.ing
v.ing
to verb
to verb

Not only _ _ _ but also _ _ _

E.g.:
Not only fathers but also mothers have
to work nowadays.
Not only concentrating but also
thinking is necessary for students.
Not only to concentrate but also to
think is necessary for students.

Not only _ _ _ but also

As complement:
E.g.:
Tubes in the past used to be not only
big but dust collectors
we teach not only science but also
values.
Computers should work not only
properly but also fast.

Not only _ _ _ but also

An engineer must be not only skillful
but engaging.
Students like not only learning but also
applying their knowledge.
Students like not only to learn but also
to apply their knowledge.

Not only _ _ _ but also _ _ _

Not only do students want to learn
but also to practice .
Not only did I make up the examples
but wrote them down.

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
As subject
Neither nouns nor nouns
v.ing
v.ing
to verb to verb

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
E.g.:
Neither teachers nor students should
smoke or drink in class.
Neither speaking nor cheating on
should be accepted during exams.
Neither to speak nor to cheat on should
be accepted during exams.

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
As complement
Neither nouns nor nouns
v.ing
v.ing
to verb
to verb
adj
adj
adv
adv

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
E.g.:
The last exam was neither simple nor
difficult.
You should tell neither lies nor dirty
words.
We must work neither slowly nor fast, we
had better get a balance.

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
You should neither smoke nor drink
when driving
People should neither ear nor drink
excessively

Neither _ _ _ nor _ _ _
I neither know nor try to prepare Italian
food.
Neither do I know nor do I try to prepare
Italian food.
Some students neither studied nor got
prepared for the last exams.
Neither did students study nor did they
get prepared for the last exams.

Either _ _ _ or _ _ _
Similar to neither
E.g.
Doctors should be neither inaccurate
nor doubtful when operating.
Doctors shouldnt be either
inaccurate or doubtful when
operating.

Either _ _ _ or_ _ _
Preference as subject
Either nouns or nouns
v.ing
ving
to verb
to verb

Either _ _ _ or _ _ _
E.g.:
Either designing or repairing is
engineering tasks.
Either a pen or a pencil is useful when
taking a test

Either _ _ _ or _ _ _
Preference as complement
Either nouns or nouns
v.ing
v.ing
to verb
to verb
adj
adj
adv
adv

Either _ _ _ or _ _ _
E.g.:
You can give it in either on Thursday or
on Friday
You can call me either in the morning
or in the afternoon.
You should choose either the red or the
black both look nice