NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of a correlative conjunction?

1. And

2. But

3. Neither...nor

4. So

The correct answer is: Neither...nor

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to join equal elements in a sentence, such as words or phrases. The correct answer "neither...nor" is indeed a classic example of correlative conjunctions because it combines two negative elements, indicating that neither option applies. In contrast, the other options represent single conjunctions rather than pairs. "And" connects words or phrases and adds information, “but” introduces a contrast, and “so” indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. Each of these serves its own function in a sentence but does not exhibit the paired structure that characterizes correlative conjunctions. Therefore, recognizing that "neither...nor" specifically fulfills the criteria for correlative conjunctions is essential for understanding their role in coordinating ideas within a sentence.