Parallelism in Correlative Constructions

Correlatives

Correlative conjunctions introduce structurally similar elements. Here are the main correlatives:

     not . . . but . . .
     not only . . . but also . . .
     both . . . and . . .
     either . . . or . . .
     neither . . . nor . . .
     first . . . second . . . third . . .

In the following sentence openings, find the correlative conjunctions. The first correlative element is given. You must choose from the list an ending that matches the form of this first element. There can be more than one correct answer.

     Example: I used to find him either sitting on the porch or

     Choice 1: he'd be asleep in the living room
     Choice 2: dozing in the living room

     Answer: dozing in the living room

Either this show will make money or
1. drive us into debt.
2. it will drive us into debt.
Either Harvey drowned in the creek or
1. lit out for parts unknown.
2. he lit out for parts unknown.
Either you must grant his request or
1. take the consequences.
2. he will resign.
3. you will be very sorry.
4. lose the best clerk in this firm.
You must either grant his request or
1. take the consequences.
2. he will resign.
3. you will be very sorry.
4. lose the best clerk in this firm.
Hallam is either a great fool or
1. an inspired liar.
2. is an inspired liar.
3. he is an inspired liar.
I was advised either to change my flight or
1. to take the train.
2. take the train.
3. that I should take the train.
The police neither booked the suspect nor let him go quite free but
1. they put a tail on him.
2. put a tail on him.
3. he baffled their efforts of entrapment.
The ceremony was both long and
1. bored us to death.
2. we were bored.
3. boring.
4. was boring.
It was a time not for words but
1. a time for action.
2. for action.
3. needed action.
4. action.
The shutters were not only too long but
1. too wide as well.
2. too wide also.
3. also too wide.
4. they were also too wide.
My objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second,
1. that it is unconstitutional.
2. it is unconstitutional.
3. unconstitutional.
4. I object that it is unconstitutional.
He is skilled not in sabotage only but
1. also psychological warfare.
2. also in psychological warfare.
3. psychological warfare as well.
4. he is an expert in psychological warfare.
5. in psychological warfare as well.
Either Roger is in the greenhouse or
1. at the computer.
2. I miss my guess.
3. he is at the computer.
4. is at the computer.
Not only is Alaska's climate misunderstood but
1. its richness vastly overrated.
2. its richness also vastly overrated.
3. its richness is also vastly overrated.
4. is overrated for richness.
5. also its richness is vastly overrated.
I came to Cleveland not because of its culture but
1. I have been pleasantly surprised.
2. in spite of it.
3. visited it only on business.
4. because it is centrally located.
We neither lent the aging beauty queen our money nor
1. her young rival our support.
2. our sympathy.
3. gave her young rival our support.
4. denied her our sympathy.