SAT Writing › Correcting Correlative Conjunction Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Either you work for the crown, nor you are against the crown.
Either you work for the crown, or you are against the crown.
Either you work for the crown, nor you are against the crown.
Either you work for the crown, you are against the crown.
Either you work for the crown, nor are you against the crown.
Either you work for the crown, sometimes you are against the crown.
When "either" is used at the beginning of a sentence, it must be followed with the correlative conjunction "or." "Either you work for the crown, or you are against the crown" is the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence. When "neither" is used "nor" is the necessary correlative conjunction.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Thor was not as popular a god as Odin, according to recent archaeological data.
as popular a god as
and popular a god as
as popular a god and
as popular a god or
as popular as if
Whenever you see the conjunction "as," and it is being used for a direct comparison between two things and followed by another conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "as." As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy or too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, and they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either to greasy nor to crunchy for an afternoon snack.
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Neither the teachers or the students were pleased with the way the assembly was conducted.
Neither the teachers nor the students
Neither the teachers, nor, the students
Neither, the teachers nor the students
Neither the teachers or the students
Neither the teachers also the students
When using "neither" at the beginning of a sentence, it must be followed with the correlative conjunction "nor." Therefore, "Neither the teachers nor the students" is the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence. "Or" is the correct correlative conjunction to use with "either." "Neither the teachers nor the students were pleased with the way the assembly was conducted" is the only version of the sentence that corrects the correlative conjunction error while creating no additional errors.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Grammar is as easy for John as math is for Sarah; they both have their own strenghts.
as easy for John as math is for Sarah
as easy for John with math is for Sarah
both easy for John as math is for Sarah
with easy for John as math is for Sarah
as easy for John under math is for Sarah
Whenever you see the conjunction "as," and it is being used as part of a parallel structure, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "as." As such, the sentence is correct above as written.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy nor surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Either chemotherapy nor surgery are perfect cures for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy and surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery are perfectly cures for cancer.
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor." Note that the conjunctions "either" and "neither" treat the grammatical items they are applied to each item individually (thus the non-plural verb form and the singular indefinite article "a" is required).
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it; don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Both men and women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it,
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it, but
Both men nor women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Whenever you see the conjunction "both," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is never the correct correlative conjunction to use with "both."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Either Mark nor Steve left this water ring on the fancy table.
or
nor
with
and
but
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence should be changed to "or."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Both Paul or Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled; they were both furiously upset by the inaccurate findings.
Both Paul and Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled;
Both Paul or Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled;
Both Paul or Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled,
Both Paul and Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled,
Both of Paul and Mark had a big problem with the way the inquiry was handled;
"Both," it should be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or is the correlative conjunction used with "either."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Neither your favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight; let's watch something new.
Neither your favorite show nor my favorite show is on tonight;
Neither your favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight;
Neither our favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight;
Neither our favorite show or our favorite show is on tonight;
Either your favorite show nor my favorite show is on tonight:
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor." "Or" is the correct correlative conjunction for "either."