Conjunctions — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Both Maya nor her brother can swim across the lake.
Corrected: Both Maya and her brother can swim across the lake.
Correlative conjunctions come in fixed pairs. 'Both' always pairs with 'and', never with 'nor'.
2. Fix the sentence:
Either we leave now and we will miss the bus.
Corrected: Either we leave now or we will miss the bus.
'Either' must pair with 'or' to present two options. 'And' joins ideas but does not show a choice.
3. Fix the sentence:
Not only did Sam finish his homework, also he cleaned his room.
Corrected: Not only did Sam finish his homework, but also he cleaned his room.
The correlative pair is 'not only / but also'. The word 'but' is required between the two parts.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Neither the cat nor the dog wanted to go outside in the rain.
'Neither' is always paired with 'nor' to show that both options are excluded.
2. Both my sister and I joined the school art club this year.
'Both' pairs with 'and' to include two people or things together in one statement.
3. Either you finish your vegetables or you skip dessert tonight.
'Either / or' presents two clear options. 'Or' introduces the second choice in the pair.
4. Not only is the museum free, but also it stays open late on Fridays.
The fixed pair 'not only / but also' adds extra information, so 'but' is the missing word.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Write one sentence using the correlative pair 'either / or' about a weekend choice.
Sample answer: Either we go to the park or we visit Grandma on Saturday afternoon.
Correlative conjunctions must appear as a matched pair, with each word marking one of the two options being joined.
2. Explain why 'both / and' cannot be replaced with 'both / or' in a sentence.
Sample answer: Both / and joins two things together as a group, while or shows a choice. Mixing the pair changes the meaning, so both must always go with and.
'Both / and' is an inclusive pair, while 'or' shows alternatives. Each correlative pair has a fixed partner that cannot be swapped.