correlative conjunctions: either … or

On this page

• Parallelism with “either … or”
• Agreement in “either … or”
• Additional information

Parallelism with “either … or”

The correlative conjunction either … or co-ordinates two or more words, phrases or clauses.

Note that the constructions following these correlatives should be parallel in structure. That is, if you use a noun after one, you must use a noun after the other; if you use a prepositional phrase after one, you must use a prepositional phrase after the other; and so on.

• Either she goes or I go.
• I did not communicate with the deputy minister either by telephone or by letter regarding this matter.
• For dessert, you can have either ice cream, lemon pie or chocolate cake.

Agreement in “either … or”

When you use this conjunction to join two or more subjects, make sure that the verb agrees in number with the nearest subject.

• Either you or your brother needs to leave early to pick Dad up at the airport.
• Either my mom, my dad or my grandparents drop me off at school.

Additional information

• Correlative conjunctions