55 Correlative Conjunctions (2)

Conjunctions are words that function as a link between clauses in sentences. They usually show how the meanings of two clauses are related to each other. {See Conjunctions, A1 Level}

Either… or is used positively to correlate two choices while Neither… nor correlates two negative ideas.

Either and Neither have this kind of structure:
… either + 1st choice + or + 2nd choice;
… neither + 1st negative idea + nor + 2nd negative idea.

Either… or…

• I can either cook pasta or fry chips.
• He will drink either camomile tea or lime blossom tea.
• They will eat either home food or fast food.

Neither… nor…

• I like neither salty nor spicy foods.
• She is from neither Europe nor Asia.
• They eat neither chorizo nor cold meat.

Either/or are used to give choices, alternatives or make statements about two things or people.

Neither/nor connect two negative alternatives. We use Neither with positive sentences that have negative meanings.

We use the Correlative Conjunctions Either…or to give choices, alternatives or make statements about two things or people and Neither…nor to connect two negative alternatives.

• The structure for the “either…or” Conjunction is:
  … either + 1st choice + or + 2nd choice (e.g. I will eat either ice cream or cupcake.);
• The structure for the “neither…nor” Conjunction is:
  … neither + 1st negative idea + nor + 2nd negative idea (e.g. I like neither fish nor chicken.)

.For example:
— “I will eat either ice cream or cupcake.” = I will eat only ice cream or cupcake, not both of them.
— “I like neither fish nor chicken.” = I don’t like fish or chicken.

NOTE: Either cannot be used with nor, and neither cannot be used with or.

Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.