COÖRDINATE CONJUNCTIONS.
297. Coördinate conjunctions are of four kinds:
(1) COPULATIVE, coupling or uniting words and expressions in the same line of thought; as and, also, as well as, moreover, etc.
(2) ADVERSATIVE, connecting words and expressions that are opposite in thought; as but, yet, still, however, while, only, etc.
(3) CAUSAL, introducing a reason or cause. The chief ones are, for, therefore, hence, then.
(4) ALTERNATIVE, expressing a choice, usually between two things. They are or, either, else, nor, neither, whether.
Correlatives.
298. Some of these go in pairs, answering to each other in the same sentence; as, both...and; not only...but (or but also); either...or; whether...or; neither...nor; whether...or whether.
Some go in threes; as, not only...but... and; either...or...or; neither...nor... nor.
Further examples of the use of coördinate conjunctions:—
Copulative.
Your letter, likewise, had its weight; the bread was spent, the butter too; the window being open, as well as the room door.
Adversative.
The assertion, however, serves but to show their ignorance. "Can this be so?" said Goodman Brown. "Howbeit, I have nothing to do with the governor and council."
Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.
Nor mark'd they less, where in the air
A thousand streamers flaunted fair.
Causal.
Therefore the poet is not any permissive potentate, but is emperor in his own right. For it is the rule of the universe that corn shall serve man, and not man corn.
Examples of the use of correlatives:—
He began to doubt whether both he and the world around him were not bewitched.—Irving.
He is not only bold and vociferous, but possesses a considerable talent for mimicry, and seems to enjoy great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds.—Wilson.
It is...the same whether I move my hand along the surface of a body, or whether such a body is moved along my hand.—Burke.
Neither the place in which he found himself, nor the exclusive attention that he attracted, disturbed the self-possession of the young Mohican.—Cooper.
Neither was there any phantom memorial of life, nor wing of bird, nor echo, nor green leaf, nor creeping thing, that moved or stirred upon the soundless waste.—De Quincey.