Grammar · From lesson 12
TOEIC Grammar: Both…and, Either…or, Neither…nor and Parallel Structure
Free extract from the Noto Tracks TOEIC course
Coordinating conjunctions
The coordinating conjunctions and, but, or, so, yet, nor, for join words, phrases or clauses of equal rank. When they join two independent clauses, a comma usually comes before them: The hotel was full, so we booked rooms nearby. Yet means "but, surprisingly": The price is high, yet demand remains strong. So (result) must not be confused with so that (purpose).
Paired (correlative) conjunctions
| Pair | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| both … and | the two (plural verb) | Both the Lisbon and the Porto offices are hiring. |
| either … or | one of the two | Payment can be made either online or by check. |
| neither … nor | not one and not the other | Neither the CEO nor the CFO was available. |
| not only … but (also) | this and also that | The update is not only faster but also more secure. |
| whether … or | alternatives (in noun clauses and adverb clauses) | All staff must attend, whether in person or online. |
| as well as / rather than | addition / preference (not paired, but parallel) | She speaks Korean as well as Japanese. |
With either … or, neither … nor and not only … but also, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (see Lecture 10). Both … and always takes a plural verb.
Parallel structure
Items joined by a coordinating or paired conjunction must have the same grammatical form: noun + noun, adjective + adjective, -ing + -ing, to + base + (to) base, clause + clause.
- Wrong: The position requires organizing events and to manage budgets.
- Right: The position requires organizing events and managing budgets.
- Right: Our goal is to reduce waste and (to) lower costs.
- Right: The report was accurate, concise and well organized.
The new reservation system allows guests to choose their rooms, check in online, and ------- their bills by mobile phone.
(A) pay (B) paying (C) paid (D) payment
Answer: (A) — the list follows allows guests to: (to) choose …, (to) check in …, and (to) pay …. All three items must be base verbs. (B) breaks the parallel pattern; (D) is a noun and cannot take the object their bills.
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Lesson 12, "Grammar course 3: Prepositions, conjunctions and clauses", is in the Noto Tracks TOEIC course. The rest of it covers:
- 4. Fixed combinations with prepositions
- 8. Noun clauses
- 9. Adverb clauses
- 10. Inversion after negative and restrictive adverbs
- 11. Connectors for Part 6
Also in the full lesson
- Practice questions
- Answer key with explanations
- One-page summary
50 questions, free, with an estimated score.
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