CHAPTER 7 Building Better Sentences^159
Examples are either/or,neither/nor,both/and,not only/but also. These conjunction
pairs need to be used correctly so that sentences are balanced:
Incorrect: Nadia is not only a fi n e d o c t o r but an accomplished artist also.In this sentence, Nadia is two things—a fi n e d o c t o r and an accomplished artist.
Two phrases link doctor to artist. What are they? They are not only and but. How-
ever, you need to add the word also, which just happens to be misplaced. The cor-
rected sentence follows:
Correct: Nadia is not only a fi ne doctor but also an accomplished artist.In the same way that not only comes before a fi ne doctor,but also must be placed
before an accomplished artist.
Written Practice 7-3
The following sentences lack balance. Find and correct the errors to restore
balance.
- The longtime employee was not only energetic and liked to be punctual
also. - We insisted that our son write his application truthfully and he should show
some humility. - My two-year-old not only likes to walk in the puddles and is always
jumping in the leaves. - Your new outfi t is neither colorful and it isn’t well fi tting either.
- This summer I will either plant a bed of fl owers, or maybe I’ll build a deck.
- Debbie is neither prepared for parenthood nor is her career willing to be
sacrifi ced.