What makes a conjunction 'correlative'?

It works in a fixed pair that frames two matched parts: both the crust and the filling, either we leave or we wait. The first half signals; the second half must answer.

What is the most common error?

Mixing partners: neither/or and either/nor. The sheets drill the true pairs until the wrong ones sound as odd as they are.

5th grade correlative conjunctions

5th grade correlative conjunctions worksheets

Fifth graders complete the classic pairs, either/or, neither/nor, both/and, whether/or, not only/but also, writing the partner the opening word demands.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.5.1.e.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Choose the word that completes the conjunction pair, and write it on the line.

Either take an umbrella (and / nor / or) wear the raincoat with the hood.
Fixed: Either take an umbrella or wear the raincoat with the hood.
Either the soup gets more salt (and / nor / or) it gets more thyme; not both.
The report needs both a title (and / nor / or) a list of sources.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 5th grade sheet

5th grade sheets draw from 40 sentences, 8 to a page. 5th and 6th grade print from the same 40 sentences. The teaching notes below are written for this grade.

A few of the sentences:

Either we practice the handoff or we lose Saturday; simple as that.
Neither sleet nor wind keeps the mail carrier home.
Whether you print or write in cursive, sign the top line.

Fix it. Choose the word that completes the conjunction pair, and write it on the line. 8 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Drill the pairs as call-and-response: you say either, they say or; you say neither, they say nor. Thirty seconds a day for a week and the partnerships are permanent.

Watch for: These conjunctions are married pairs, not free agents: either/nor and neither/or are the classic mismatches, and the first word always chooses the second. Neither/nor already carries the negative, so the verb stays positive: 'neither rain nor mud STOPPED the game,' with no extra not.

Common questions about 5th grade correlative conjunctions

What makes a conjunction 'correlative'?: It works in a fixed pair that frames two matched parts: both the crust and the filling, either we leave or we wait. The first half signals; the second half must answer.
What is the most common error?: Mixing partners: neither/or and either/nor. The sheets drill the true pairs until the wrong ones sound as odd as they are.

Related worksheets

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Aligned to Common Core L.5.1.e. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 240, updated September 2026.

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