Choosing Correlative Conjunctions Quiz

1. The correlative pair ‘whether/or’ is typically used when expressing a lack of certainty or two possible alternatives.

True

False

This statement is true. 'Whether/or' is often used when a decision is yet to be made or when doubt exists between two specific options.

Explanation

This statement is true. 'Whether/or' is often used when a decision is yet to be made or when doubt exists between two specific options.

2. It is grammatically correct to say 'He both sings nor plays' because 'both' and 'nor' show a relationship between two ideas.

True

False

This is false. Correlative conjunctions must be used in their fixed pairs. 'Both' must be paired with 'and,' and 'nor' must be paired with 'neither.'

Explanation

This is false. Correlative conjunctions must be used in their fixed pairs. 'Both' must be paired with 'and,' and 'nor' must be paired with 'neither.'

3. Which options would be the most grammatically correct way to complete the blanks: ‘She will _______ clean her room _______ study for the test.’ (Select all that apply)

Neither / nor

Both / and

Either / or

Not only / but also

All four pairs can be grammatically correct depending on the desired meaning: negation (A), addition (B), choice (C), or emphasis/addition (D).

Explanation

All four pairs can be grammatically correct depending on the desired meaning: negation (A), addition (B), choice (C), or emphasis/addition (D).

Submit

4. Which pair of correlative conjunctions best completes the sentence: '_______ my brother _______ I like playing basketball.'

The pair 'both/and' is the best fit because it shows addition, indicating that two people ('my brother' and 'I') share the same preference for basketball.

Explanation

The pair 'both/and' is the best fit because it shows addition, indicating that two people ('my brother' and 'I') share the same preference for basketball.

Submit

5. Complete the sentence: ‘He is _______ talented _______ intelligent.’

Either / or

Not only / but also

Neither / or

Both / nor

The phrase suggests that one quality is true, and the second quality is also true, often for emphasis. The 'not only/but also' pair is used for emphasis and addition.

Explanation

The phrase suggests that one quality is true, and the second quality is also true, often for emphasis. The 'not only/but also' pair is used for emphasis and addition.

6. The pair ‘neither/nor’ should be used when the sentence offers a choice between two positive options.

True

False

This is false. 'Neither/nor' is used to negate both options, meaning neither choice is true or possible. 'Either/or' is used for a positive choice.

Explanation

This is false. 'Neither/nor' is used to negate both options, meaning neither choice is true or possible. 'Either/or' is used for a positive choice.

7. Choose the pair that expresses a choice or alternative: ‘You can have _______ a cookie _______ a piece of cake.’

Both / and

Neither / nor

Either / or

Not only / but also

The pair 'either/or' is used to present a choice between two equal options, meaning the person can select one or the other but not both.

Explanation

The pair 'either/or' is used to present a choice between two equal options, meaning the person can select one or the other but not both.

8. Which pairs can be used to join two nouns in a parallel structure? (Select all that apply)

Both / and

Neither / nor

Either / or

Whether / or

All four pairs are correlative conjunctions and can be used to join two nouns (or any grammatically equal elements) in parallel structure, depending on the desired meaning (addition, double negation, or choice/doubt).

Explanation

All four pairs are correlative conjunctions and can be used to join two nouns (or any grammatically equal elements) in parallel structure, depending on the desired meaning (addition, double negation, or choice/doubt).

Submit

9. Complete the sentence to show that neither option is true: ‘She will buy _______ the blue sweater _______ the green one.’

The pair 'neither/nor' is required to show a double negation, meaning she will not purchase the blue sweater and she will not purchase the green one.

Explanation

The pair 'neither/nor' is required to show a double negation, meaning she will not purchase the blue sweater and she will not purchase the green one.

Submit

10. Which sentence uses the correct correlative conjunction to show addition and emphasis?

He is either a good student or a hard worker.

He is not only a good student but also a hard worker.

He is neither a good student nor a hard worker.

He is both a good student or a hard worker.

The pair 'not only/but also' is the correct choice to emphasize that both ideas are true (he is a good student AND a hard worker).

Explanation

The pair 'not only/but also' is the correct choice to emphasize that both ideas are true (he is a good student AND a hard worker).

11. Which pair means 'in addition to' and should complete this sentence: ‘We saw _______ lions _______ tigers at the zoo.’

The pair 'both/and' is used to show addition, meaning the speaker saw both lions and tigers at the zoo.

Explanation

The pair 'both/and' is used to show addition, meaning the speaker saw both lions and tigers at the zoo.

Submit

12. Choose the best pair for the sentence: ‘I am unsure _______ she is going to the movie _______ staying home.’

Either / or

Neither / nor

Both / and

Whether / or

When expressing doubt or uncertainty, especially after a verb like 'unsure' or 'decide,' the 'whether/or' pair is the most appropriate correlative conjunction.

Explanation

When expressing doubt or uncertainty, especially after a verb like 'unsure' or 'decide,' the 'whether/or' pair is the most appropriate correlative conjunction.

13. Which correlative pair maintains parallel structure by linking two adjectives?

She is neither kind nor generous.

She is either kind and generous.

She is whether kind both generous.

She is not only kind or generous.

The 'neither/nor' pair is correctly placed to link two equal adjectives ('kind' and 'generous'), ensuring parallel structure is maintained.

Explanation

The 'neither/nor' pair is correctly placed to link two equal adjectives ('kind' and 'generous'), ensuring parallel structure is maintained.

14. Which sentences use a correlative conjunction pair to express two choices? (Select all that apply)

I will either travel by train or by bus.

He neither ate the pizza nor drank the soda.

Whether we stay or we leave, the time is 9:00.

You can choose both apples and bananas.

Both A ('either/or') and C ('whether/or') present two alternatives, requiring a choice or indicating that one of the two possibilities is happening.

Explanation

Both A ('either/or') and C ('whether/or') present two alternatives, requiring a choice or indicating that one of the two possibilities is happening.

Submit

15. Complete the sentence using the pair for emphasis: ‘The museum contained _______ history _______ beautiful art.’

The 'not only/but also' pair is used to emphasize that the museum offers two separate, yet important, features: history and art.

Explanation

The 'not only/but also' pair is used to emphasize that the museum offers two separate, yet important, features: history and art.

Submit

16. In the sentence 'I want either ice cream or candy,' the verb must agree with the last item linked by the conjunction.

True

False

This statement is false in this simple example. In cases where the correlative pair joins two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (the last one mentioned). However, here the pair joins two objects, so the rule doesn't apply.

Explanation

This statement is false in this simple example. In cases where the correlative pair joins two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (the last one mentioned). However, here the pair joins two objects, so the rule doesn't apply.

17. Which pair negates the two options: ‘We have time for _______ a quick walk _______ a full meal.’

Both / and

Either / or

Not only / but also

Neither / nor

The pair 'neither/nor' is required to show that neither option (a quick walk nor a full meal) is possible due to the lack of time.

Explanation

The pair 'neither/nor' is required to show that neither option (a quick walk nor a full meal) is possible due to the lack of time.

18. Complete the sentence to show addition: ‘_______ the teacher _______ the students were ready for the quiz.’

The pair 'both/and' is the most direct way to show that two subjects ('the teacher' and 'the students') were equally included in the action of being ready.

Explanation

The pair 'both/and' is the most direct way to show that two subjects ('the teacher' and 'the students') were equally included in the action of being ready.

Submit

19. Which of the following sentences requires the correlative pair to link two verbs? (Select all that apply)

He _______ studied _______ completed the assignment.

The gift was _______ expensive _______ useful.

_______ she agrees _______ she disagrees, the meeting will happen.

I want _______ a burger _______ a salad for lunch.

Only sentence A requires the conjunctions to be placed before two verbs ('studied' and 'completed') to link them together in a parallel structure.

Explanation

Only sentence A requires the conjunctions to be placed before two verbs ('studied' and 'completed') to link them together in a parallel structure.

20. The use of correlative conjunctions requires the elements they join to have the same:

Vowel sounds

Grammatical structure

Number of syllables

Length in words

Correlative conjunctions must connect elements that are grammatically equivalent (e.g., noun phrase with noun phrase, verb with verb) to maintain parallel structure.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions must connect elements that are grammatically equivalent (e.g., noun phrase with noun phrase, verb with verb) to maintain parallel structure.

Paired Selection: Choosing the Correct Correlative Conjunction Pair Quiz