English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Fill in the missing correlative conjunction
Fill in the missing correlative conjunction
What you'll learn
- Identify instances of indefinite pronoun-verb agreement errors in complex sentences with at least 80% accuracy on a formative assessment.
- Apply knowledge of indefinite pronoun agreement rules to correct at least three out of four sentences containing errors in a peer-editing activity.
- Explain the rationale behind the correct verb form (singular or plural) for at least two different indefinite pronouns in a written paragraph, demonstrating understanding of the agreement rules.
- Rewrite a provided paragraph containing at least five indefinite pronoun-verb agreement errors, correcting all errors with 100% accuracy, demonstrating mastery of the concept.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the four main correlative conjunction pairs in sentences.
Define 'correlative conjunction' and explain that they work in pairs.
Correctly fill in the missing half of a correlative conjunction pair in a given sentence.
Write original sentences using 'both/and', 'either/or', 'neither/nor', and 'not only/but also'.
Explain the concept of parallel structure in the context of correlative conjunctions.
Choose the correct correlative conjunction pair based on the meaning of a sentence (e.g., a choice vs. a double negative).
Would you rather have super strength 💪 or the ability to fly 🦸? The special words that connect those two choices are powerful tools for writers!
Today, we're learning about sp...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Correlative ConjunctionsPairs of conjunctions that work together to connect two equal words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.In the sentence 'I want both the pizza and the pasta,' the words 'both...and' are the correlative conjunctions.
ConjunctionA word that acts like glue, joining together parts of a sentence.The word 'and' in 'cats and dogs' is a conjunction.
Parallel StructureWhen the two parts of a sentence connected by conjunctions have the same grammatical form or pattern.Correct: 'She likes to read and to write.' (to + verb). Incorrect: 'She likes reading and to write.' (verb-ing and to + verb).
PhraseA small group of words that acts as a single unit in a sentence but doesn't have its own subj...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
The Partnership Rule
both...and | either...or | neither...nor | not only...but also
Correlative conjunctions are always a team. If you see one, its partner must also be in the sentence. You must memorize these specific pairs.
The Parallel Structure Rule
Item 1 and Item 2 must be grammatically the same.
The type of word or phrase that follows the first conjunction must match the type of word or phrase that follows the second one. For example, connect a noun with a noun, or a verb phrase with a verb phrase.
The Proximity Rule (for Verbs)
With 'either/or' and 'neither/nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
When you connect two subjects with these pairs, look at the subject right before the verb to decide if the verb should be singular...
5 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
Considering the Proximity Rule and the sentence's meaning, fill in the blank: '_____ the captain nor the players are to blame for the loss.'
A.Either
B.Both
C.Neither
D.Whether
Challenging
The parallel elements in this sentence are prepositional phrases. Fill in the blank: 'The project was successful not only because of our hard work _____ also because of our great teamwork.'
A.and
B.but
C.or
D.nor
Challenging
Read the context carefully to find the correct word: 'You can have _____ cake or ice cream, but the doctor said you can't have both.'
A.both
B.neither
C.not only
D.either
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing FreeMore from Correlative conjunctions
English Language Arts for other grades
Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Fill in the missing correlative conjunction"?
Fill in the missing correlative conjunction is a Grade 5 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Fill in the missing correlative conjunction?
You'll be able to: Identify instances of indefinite pronoun-verb agreement errors in complex sentences with at least 80% accuracy on a formative assessment; Apply knowledge of indefinite pronoun agreement rules to correct at least three out of….
Is "Fill in the missing correlative conjunction" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Fill in the missing correlative conjunction?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.