Correlative conjunctions are usually coordinating in nature because the sentence fragments they connect tend to be of equal rank. As you know, a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses. A subordinating conjunction, on the other hand, connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Some correlative conjunctions and their uses are explained below.
Such … that
- It was such a hot afternoon that we decided to stay indoors. (Here the correlative connects the two clauses: It was a hot afternoon and We decided to stay indoors.)
- She was such a bad tempered woman that nobody liked her. (Here the correlative connects the two clauses: She was a bad tempered woman and Nobody liked her.)
Scarcely …when
- I had scarcely closed my eyes when someone knocked on the door.
- OR Scarcely had I closed my eyes when someone knocked on the door.
As (many/much) … as
- There are as many saucers as there are cups.
- You are not as clever as you think you are.
- His wife is as tall as he is.
No sooner … than
- She no sooner completed one project than she started working on the next.
- OR No sooner did she complete one project than she started working on the next.
Students sometimes wrongly use when in this structure. Remember that sooner is a comparative word and hence it should be followed by than, not when.
Rather … than
- I would rather read a book than watch TV.
- They would rather starve than surrender.
- She would rather dance than sing.
The expression rather than is normally used in parallel structures. For example, with two
adjectives, two adverbs, nouns, infinitives etc.
- I would prefer to visit Switzerland rather than Australia.
- I would prefer to walk rather than drive.
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