Correlatives...

A very simple--almost mathematical--strategy for making a comparison at the sentence level in writing is to use what we grammarians call the "not/but" correlative. Similar to this are "either/

or" and the negative "neither/nor" set-ups; "both/and" constructions; and the very emphatic "not only/but also" arrangement. Here are some examples:

1) It was not I, but your other son Johnny who broke the window, Dad.

2) Not only has the Greenhouse effect caused some dramatic meteorological changes, but it may also be responsible for the intense El Niño we have this year.

3) Both the character of his writing, the style and voice, and the content of the essay are very strong, although its development leaves something to be desired.

4) Either a student gets the English composition requirements out of the way early on in her career, or it seems to drag on forever.

5) It should be the aim of the essayist to both inspire and to educate her readers.

6) We can either create another a new program to solve the problem, or we can write an addition to the existing program. ten

7) The instructor could neither inspire his students to really get into the work, nor could he get many of them to come to class on time, if at all.

8) Not only does the evidence from his biography show an essential connection to US history, but it makes clear the overall significance of his life to our concept of democracy.

9) The CSU is not only not only exploring the possibilities of forming a partnership with private corporations, but some argue the it should be privatized.

10) While it is true that Shakespeare is not only difficult to read silently but uses archaic words that are impossible to understand, one can easily see why he is still considered the best English playwright when he is read aloud.