Common correlative conjunctions

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.